Why Jude Bellingham is the most overrated, overprotected, and arrogant player in world football.
Today, I do not want to seem like I am fuelled by hatred or agendas. No, I want to highlight to the masses (from a tactical standpoint) his deficiencies, shortcomings, and why it is not sufficient to mask his strengths.
It is not strictly a thread of critique, but rather a piece to justifying my thinking, on why he is overrated.
THREAD
Today, I do not want to seem like I am fuelled by hatred or agendas. No, I want to highlight to the masses (from a tactical standpoint) his deficiencies, shortcomings, and why it is not sufficient to mask his strengths.
It is not strictly a thread of critique, but rather a piece to justifying my thinking, on why he is overrated.
THREAD
What angers me the most about the noise and media consensus around Jude Bellingham is 2 things.
1) His profiling. The media profiles him as some super complete, "midfielder", who can do everything from defend, link play, to attack. This is simply not the case. And immediately, it proves my point that Bellingham is overrated. The media (which also happens to be the entity that brainwashes the general public) create illusion to what he is actually capable of, making him seem better than he actually is.
1) His profiling. The media profiles him as some super complete, "midfielder", who can do everything from defend, link play, to attack. This is simply not the case. And immediately, it proves my point that Bellingham is overrated. The media (which also happens to be the entity that brainwashes the general public) create illusion to what he is actually capable of, making him seem better than he actually is.
2) His media hype is largely related to things such as looks, obsession with creating a new superstar, and the club he plays for, as opposed to solely on actual ability.
Is he more attractive than Phil Foden? Yes. Does he play for a bigger club than Phil Foden? Also, yes (if we ignore corruption). But is he a better player than Phil Foden? No. Far from it.
Is he more attractive than Cole Palmer? Yes. Does he play for a bigger club than Cole Palmer? Also, yes. But is he a better player than Cole Palmer? No.
Jude Bellingham's hype stems from the corporate world. Marketability plays a big factor in PR. It leads media outlets, brands, everything you can think of to get more money, more clicks, more attention - a piece of the pie for pushing Bellingham as the next superstar.
Pretty privilege in football is a real thing. And people will laugh, say I am trolling, but no - you people underestimate the greed of the corporate world. It is beyond football.
Is he more attractive than Phil Foden? Yes. Does he play for a bigger club than Phil Foden? Also, yes (if we ignore corruption). But is he a better player than Phil Foden? No. Far from it.
Is he more attractive than Cole Palmer? Yes. Does he play for a bigger club than Cole Palmer? Also, yes. But is he a better player than Cole Palmer? No.
Jude Bellingham's hype stems from the corporate world. Marketability plays a big factor in PR. It leads media outlets, brands, everything you can think of to get more money, more clicks, more attention - a piece of the pie for pushing Bellingham as the next superstar.
Pretty privilege in football is a real thing. And people will laugh, say I am trolling, but no - you people underestimate the greed of the corporate world. It is beyond football.
Now, let me clear up misconceptions. I am never positive about Jude Bellingham, I feel as someone with a marginally big platform, at times I am at a war with the general media.
They will prop up players, put them on a pedestal, overrate them (falsely), and I feel it is my duty to counteract that noise, and provide a more rational, unbiased viewpoint.
It is simply what I am doing with Jude Bellingham. I also do the opposite - I see plenty of players underrated by the media, and instead, I will look to give them the respect they deserve.
They will prop up players, put them on a pedestal, overrate them (falsely), and I feel it is my duty to counteract that noise, and provide a more rational, unbiased viewpoint.
It is simply what I am doing with Jude Bellingham. I also do the opposite - I see plenty of players underrated by the media, and instead, I will look to give them the respect they deserve.
But everybody is under the assumption that I think Jude Bellingham is some poor, average, mediocre player.
That is far, far from the case. Being overrated does not mean poor. I think Jude Bellingham is an exceptional player, as a matter of fact.
Cristiano Ronaldo is very overrated. He has no business in being in debates with Lionel Messi. Does that make him poor? Of course not, he is still arguably the 2nd greatest player of all time.
But in reality, Jude Bellingham is not even England's Top 5 players. Harry Kane, John Stones, Phil Foden, Cole Palmer, Declan Rice, Bukayo Saka, Trent Alexander Arnold - a list of names, in no particular order, I would take over him.
That is where the issue stems - the media try to portray as him some once in a lifetime talent, but that is not the case.
That is far, far from the case. Being overrated does not mean poor. I think Jude Bellingham is an exceptional player, as a matter of fact.
Cristiano Ronaldo is very overrated. He has no business in being in debates with Lionel Messi. Does that make him poor? Of course not, he is still arguably the 2nd greatest player of all time.
But in reality, Jude Bellingham is not even England's Top 5 players. Harry Kane, John Stones, Phil Foden, Cole Palmer, Declan Rice, Bukayo Saka, Trent Alexander Arnold - a list of names, in no particular order, I would take over him.
That is where the issue stems - the media try to portray as him some once in a lifetime talent, but that is not the case.
People misprofile Jude Bellingham, think he is someone who can do it all, do no wrong, but this is simply not further from the truth.
In fact, Bellingham is quite a limited player, a player with clear and obvious strengths, but significant weaknesses in his game for people to label him as the talent he is.
Can he work on those weakneses? Absolutely, some of them? Others, absolutely not.
And this is where this whole thread will start, analysing his player profile.
In fact, Bellingham is quite a limited player, a player with clear and obvious strengths, but significant weaknesses in his game for people to label him as the talent he is.
Can he work on those weakneses? Absolutely, some of them? Others, absolutely not.
And this is where this whole thread will start, analysing his player profile.
Jude Bellingham cannot play deep. This myth needs to end. He is defensively subpar, he excels on one on the ball trait that is benefical from deeper areas, and it completely contrasts his strengths.
His own manager, Carlo Ancelotti, says he is better close to goal.
According to Sam Lee, a very reliable source of The Athletic and Manchester City news, claimed that Guardiola was weighing him up as a De Bruyne replacement. He mentioned that there were 2 category of players, "pausa" (Grealish, Gundogan, Mahrez, Bernardo, Rodri), and "destructive" - in which Bellingham was included.
So his own manager, alongside the greatest manager of all time has profiled him better closer to goal.
His own manager, Carlo Ancelotti, says he is better close to goal.
According to Sam Lee, a very reliable source of The Athletic and Manchester City news, claimed that Guardiola was weighing him up as a De Bruyne replacement. He mentioned that there were 2 category of players, "pausa" (Grealish, Gundogan, Mahrez, Bernardo, Rodri), and "destructive" - in which Bellingham was included.
So his own manager, alongside the greatest manager of all time has profiled him better closer to goal.
Even after his Dortmund stint, where he was deployed as a deeper 8/box to box, he was immediately moved to a more advanced position.
Guardiola was also interested in using him in such a role.
But why? Because his stint at Dortmund was frankly overrated from a general perspective - particularly from a "controlling" aspect.
In the defensive phases, simply put, he was shambolic. In deeper phases, also a big, big opportunity cost.
Guardiola was also interested in using him in such a role.
But why? Because his stint at Dortmund was frankly overrated from a general perspective - particularly from a "controlling" aspect.
In the defensive phases, simply put, he was shambolic. In deeper phases, also a big, big opportunity cost.
You look at the games against Bayern Munich last year, especially away, he looked so immature on the ball in the deeper phases. Brilliant going forward, but trying to control tempo? Shambolic. No reading of the game, the team, he wants to be the hero at all times.
I would absolutely love to attach a video, but I am not risking any form of copyright.
But it is the same in games such against Wolfsburg, Gladbach, Bochum. His desire to play for himself, and be not a star, but the star, is his downfall, and any ability for him to play a "tempo controller".
I would absolutely love to attach a video, but I am not risking any form of copyright.
But it is the same in games such against Wolfsburg, Gladbach, Bochum. His desire to play for himself, and be not a star, but the star, is his downfall, and any ability for him to play a "tempo controller".
As he went from a deeper 8 in his early Dortmund days, to a more box to box role his involvement in the game became bigger, he took more shots, created more, spent more of the game around the final 3rd, etc.
This is where Bellingham became Bellingham.
But this is where his ego grew, grew to unparalleled levels.
As he became more involved in the final 3rd, less involved in defensive phases, his name began to gain more hype, he began to show the world his true strengths. After being so misprofiled for early years, this was finally him.
But it also meant he thought he was the best player on the team. He thought he could do everything, especially being deployed in a box to box role. In the defensive phases, he was a roadrunner -- In the posession phases, he played with an attacking-mindset, which hindered Dortmund when they wanted to control the game, considering how deep he was (initially) deployed.
But of course, people just look at a Sofascore positions chart, and see him deployed as an 8, and think he played as an 8, and think he was complete.
Far from it.
This is where Bellingham became Bellingham.
But this is where his ego grew, grew to unparalleled levels.
As he became more involved in the final 3rd, less involved in defensive phases, his name began to gain more hype, he began to show the world his true strengths. After being so misprofiled for early years, this was finally him.
But it also meant he thought he was the best player on the team. He thought he could do everything, especially being deployed in a box to box role. In the defensive phases, he was a roadrunner -- In the posession phases, he played with an attacking-mindset, which hindered Dortmund when they wanted to control the game, considering how deep he was (initially) deployed.
But of course, people just look at a Sofascore positions chart, and see him deployed as an 8, and think he played as an 8, and think he was complete.
Far from it.
The other issue with Bellingham that cannot be quantified is his lack of defensive awareness. I see the likes of Trent Alexander Arnold consistently get called out for their defensive shortcomings, despite their contribution to the attack, so why does Bellingham go unnoticed?
"Trent is a defender, Bellingham is a midfielder!" Again, if you understood Jurgen Klopp's original system, where Trent received the most scrutiny, you should know that fullbacks had as much of a responsibiltiy to attack as Bellingham.
Bellingham in his role has more defensive responsibilty than say Trent Alexander Arnold did under Jurgen Klopp. He has as many shortcomings, lapses of judgement, why does he receive no scrutiny?
Because he contributes to attack? So does Trent. And that is why I brought up Trent as my main comparison - I could have brought up any other midfielder, but you would have said "he does not contribute to attack as much as Bellingham".
Which is true, they don't. So why is Bellingham being profiled as a "midfielder who can do it all"? He has a singular phase he has a strength in. He is not good in deeper phases.
"Trent is a defender, Bellingham is a midfielder!" Again, if you understood Jurgen Klopp's original system, where Trent received the most scrutiny, you should know that fullbacks had as much of a responsibiltiy to attack as Bellingham.
Bellingham in his role has more defensive responsibilty than say Trent Alexander Arnold did under Jurgen Klopp. He has as many shortcomings, lapses of judgement, why does he receive no scrutiny?
Because he contributes to attack? So does Trent. And that is why I brought up Trent as my main comparison - I could have brought up any other midfielder, but you would have said "he does not contribute to attack as much as Bellingham".
Which is true, they don't. So why is Bellingham being profiled as a "midfielder who can do it all"? He has a singular phase he has a strength in. He is not good in deeper phases.
People are under the misconception that running a lot = good defensively. That is Jude Bellingham.
This is not the bleep test.
He runs a lot, he played a box to box role at Dortmund (where his strength in that role was clearly in the Final 3rd, not in deeper phases), and people (the media) are under the assumption he is complete, or can play a deep 8.
Far from the truth.
Bruno Fernandes runs a lot, Richarlison runs a lot, Harry Kane runs a lot - are they suddenly able to play deep 8s? No. Do not be daft. They are attackers, and should be treated as such, it is no different from Bellingham.
Running a lot as an attacking player is just a bonus, it does not mean they are suddenly competent defensively, or have the ability to play in deeper areas of the pitch.
This is not the bleep test.
He runs a lot, he played a box to box role at Dortmund (where his strength in that role was clearly in the Final 3rd, not in deeper phases), and people (the media) are under the assumption he is complete, or can play a deep 8.
Far from the truth.
Bruno Fernandes runs a lot, Richarlison runs a lot, Harry Kane runs a lot - are they suddenly able to play deep 8s? No. Do not be daft. They are attackers, and should be treated as such, it is no different from Bellingham.
Running a lot as an attacking player is just a bonus, it does not mean they are suddenly competent defensively, or have the ability to play in deeper areas of the pitch.
Bellingham's strengths are simply his brilliant reading of the game in attacking phases, his intelligence in his movement, and his athetic ability.
That is it. Everything else - subpar, or just good. He is a good dribbler, good passer, decent vision, but nothing in the "great' category.
Average ball striking, finishing, creativity. Again, not poor by means, but nothing out of the ordinary.
What makes him a great footballer are his strengths, they are a level above any other players.
So given this, it is very easy to profile him. Either as a False 9, or a more attacking-oriented 10. Why would you waste his strengths by playing him so deep, in a role he cannot, as far away from goal as possible?
There is no 8 in the history of profile that is praised as much for their goal contributions as Jude Bellingham. Why? Because Jude Bellingham is not an 8.
That is it. Everything else - subpar, or just good. He is a good dribbler, good passer, decent vision, but nothing in the "great' category.
Average ball striking, finishing, creativity. Again, not poor by means, but nothing out of the ordinary.
What makes him a great footballer are his strengths, they are a level above any other players.
So given this, it is very easy to profile him. Either as a False 9, or a more attacking-oriented 10. Why would you waste his strengths by playing him so deep, in a role he cannot, as far away from goal as possible?
There is no 8 in the history of profile that is praised as much for their goal contributions as Jude Bellingham. Why? Because Jude Bellingham is not an 8.
The myth that he is a complete midfielder with the ability to play anywhere has to stop.
He is a very one dimensional player with clear strengths, and clear weaknesses. His defensive ability is overrated, his composure is overrated, his ability to control a game is VERY overrated.
His own ego is his downfall. He has the desire to do everything himself, not play for the team. You know given that attitude, and his skilset, is very similar to that of a striker.
He is a very one dimensional player with clear strengths, and clear weaknesses. His defensive ability is overrated, his composure is overrated, his ability to control a game is VERY overrated.
His own ego is his downfall. He has the desire to do everything himself, not play for the team. You know given that attitude, and his skilset, is very similar to that of a striker.
And this is another part of my critique with Bellingham. You cannot simply gloss over the weaknesses of his game (lack of ability to control tempo, defensive awareness, composure) when he is playing in such a central role that isn't the 9.
With Harry Kane in the England set up, it is completely fine to disgreard his ability in other phases, because he is a striker. Jude Bellingham is not. You expect more from him, especially when he is taking away valuable game time from the likes of Phil Foden and Cole Palmer in their strongest positions.
He is playing in a position that requires him to create, attack the box, but also help out in defensive phases.
But he only does 1 of them, and that is my main issue.
With Harry Kane in the England set up, it is completely fine to disgreard his ability in other phases, because he is a striker. Jude Bellingham is not. You expect more from him, especially when he is taking away valuable game time from the likes of Phil Foden and Cole Palmer in their strongest positions.
He is playing in a position that requires him to create, attack the box, but also help out in defensive phases.
But he only does 1 of them, and that is my main issue.
Jude Bellingham is a 10 who relies on others. He is not someone who can change the game himself, he relies on service. This is quite a red flag.
And him hogging up this place for England is detrimental. His resonsibilty is also to create as much as it is to attack (at least in the way England set up, not so much at Madrid).
And simply put, he cannot create. He does not suit Harry Kane (England's best player) at all. He congests the same zones, does a cardio session, plays too greedily, and creates many instances of useless possession geared towards benefiting himself as opposed to the team. Again, tries to do it all himself.
And him hogging up this place for England is detrimental. His resonsibilty is also to create as much as it is to attack (at least in the way England set up, not so much at Madrid).
And simply put, he cannot create. He does not suit Harry Kane (England's best player) at all. He congests the same zones, does a cardio session, plays too greedily, and creates many instances of useless possession geared towards benefiting himself as opposed to the team. Again, tries to do it all himself.
And then he will do this, detriment the team completely, but score a 90th minute goal after being terrible for the entirety of the game, and then get praised as England's best ever talent.
No. Stop it. It is ridiculous.
During the 90 minutes, players like Phil Foden or Cole Palmer would be playing for the team in his position. They would be actively looking to create, help out the star player (Harry Kane), rather than look to do everything themselves and focus on poaching.
There wouldn't be a need for any 90th minute winners, because of much more selfless play from the main source of creativity/transitional medium into the Final 3rd.
There are countless, countless times Bellingham will not pass to wide open players, and go for the hard way out that will maximise himself looking like a hero instead.
No. Stop it. It is ridiculous.
During the 90 minutes, players like Phil Foden or Cole Palmer would be playing for the team in his position. They would be actively looking to create, help out the star player (Harry Kane), rather than look to do everything themselves and focus on poaching.
There wouldn't be a need for any 90th minute winners, because of much more selfless play from the main source of creativity/transitional medium into the Final 3rd.
There are countless, countless times Bellingham will not pass to wide open players, and go for the hard way out that will maximise himself looking like a hero instead.
Jude Bellingham's stint at La Liga largely overrated as well, I do not know why how average his 2024 has been is going under the radar.
For someone who gets praised as much as he does for his proficiency close to goal, it is is funny how no one bothers to mention he had 5 NPG league goals since the turn of 2024?
Or how he had a SINGULAR goal contribution in the Champions League knockout stages (we are not counting the Maatsen assist)?
"Football isn't about GA" - then why was it all about GA at the start of the season, suddenly it is not? Because Bellingham is mediocre in other phases of play, and GA was used to mask it.
This is simply not a Ballon D'or worthy candidate. Brilliant at the start of the year, he was most definitely a candidate, but the past 6 months have been shambolic.
For someone who gets praised as much as he does for his proficiency close to goal, it is is funny how no one bothers to mention he had 5 NPG league goals since the turn of 2024?
Or how he had a SINGULAR goal contribution in the Champions League knockout stages (we are not counting the Maatsen assist)?
"Football isn't about GA" - then why was it all about GA at the start of the season, suddenly it is not? Because Bellingham is mediocre in other phases of play, and GA was used to mask it.
This is simply not a Ballon D'or worthy candidate. Brilliant at the start of the year, he was most definitely a candidate, but the past 6 months have been shambolic.
Part 2 - Character Analysis:
Now let me talk about the arrogance, oh, the arrogance - it is what promoted this thread.
Jude, you are not as good as you think. You do not even make the Top 5 of the country's current best players. Humble yourself.
"Who else?" Perhaps England's all time top scorer, Harry Kane? Or maybe even Cole Palmer, who played less minutes than you, yet finished with 4 more goals? You are not even the biggest goal threat on your team to be running around with that kind of arrogance.
Now let me talk about the arrogance, oh, the arrogance - it is what promoted this thread.
Jude, you are not as good as you think. You do not even make the Top 5 of the country's current best players. Humble yourself.
"Who else?" Perhaps England's all time top scorer, Harry Kane? Or maybe even Cole Palmer, who played less minutes than you, yet finished with 4 more goals? You are not even the biggest goal threat on your team to be running around with that kind of arrogance.
Jude Bellingham has a big, big ego problem. I do not mind a bit of arrogance, but it has to be justified. Jude Bellingham, yours is not justified.
Cristiano Ronaldo had justified arrogance. Bellingham does not. I do not even want to call it one good season, because he was poor for over half of it.
This is a person who has let the media attention get to the head, and is looking to play on it. He thinks the team is revolving around him, everyone is watching England for him he is the most important player.
No, that is not the case.
Cristiano Ronaldo had justified arrogance. Bellingham does not. I do not even want to call it one good season, because he was poor for over half of it.
This is a person who has let the media attention get to the head, and is looking to play on it. He thinks the team is revolving around him, everyone is watching England for him he is the most important player.
No, that is not the case.
"You are just being weird, your hatred is weird".
Let me tell you a few things during his Dortmund stint from a very reliable news German outlet, BILD. Paraphrased.
Let me tell you a few things during his Dortmund stint from a very reliable news German outlet, BILD. Paraphrased.
1) Jude Bellingham often waited for his team to thank the fans, only after that he would walk to the stands so he could take in the applause by himself.
He began feeling when Erling Haaland was at the club, he began to outrank him with the fans. Only after he left, Bellingham started trying to make rounds alone to take up all the attention.
(SPORTSBILD via. @bvbnewsblog)
He began feeling when Erling Haaland was at the club, he began to outrank him with the fans. Only after he left, Bellingham started trying to make rounds alone to take up all the attention.
(SPORTSBILD via. @bvbnewsblog)
2) In the dressing room, it is said than Bellingham wants to be in the centre of attention, and that his teammates are only secondary.
He used words that didn't suit the players. These words came out when Bellingham insulted Nico Shulz during the match against Galasgow Rangers.
This continued alst season, especially during half time talks in the dressing room, where he's said to have been abusive to his teammates.
(SPORTSBILD via. @bvbnewsblog)
(As an aside, not from the article - this is very much backed up by several clips of Jude berating his very own players at Dortmund on the pitch. Again, for copyright reasons, I will not post, but it can be found with a quick google search)
He used words that didn't suit the players. These words came out when Bellingham insulted Nico Shulz during the match against Galasgow Rangers.
This continued alst season, especially during half time talks in the dressing room, where he's said to have been abusive to his teammates.
(SPORTSBILD via. @bvbnewsblog)
(As an aside, not from the article - this is very much backed up by several clips of Jude berating his very own players at Dortmund on the pitch. Again, for copyright reasons, I will not post, but it can be found with a quick google search)
3) In his last season at Dortmund, he was 3rd captain. But he rarely did justice to the role - he was rarely the contact person from his teammates, was always moody internally, and took little leadership.
(SPORTSBILD via. @bvbnewsblog)
(SPORTSBILD via. @bvbnewsblog)
Then also in Sam Lee's newest podcast, there has also been reports about how he kicks off a lot in the England camp.
This is simply someone who is toxic, someone who thinks the world revolves around them, and someone who seems like a massive man child. Someone who's ability simply does not match their arrogance.
And a large portion of this has been fuelled by the media, who make false claims about his ability, which creates the illusion that he is better than he is.
Jude, tone it down. When there is Mbappe, Rodrygo, Vinicius Jr, Endrick in the same squad - you are no longer the lone star. And you will be humbled. It is not sustainable, we saw your decline at the end of last season.
This is simply someone who is toxic, someone who thinks the world revolves around them, and someone who seems like a massive man child. Someone who's ability simply does not match their arrogance.
And a large portion of this has been fuelled by the media, who make false claims about his ability, which creates the illusion that he is better than he is.
Jude, tone it down. When there is Mbappe, Rodrygo, Vinicius Jr, Endrick in the same squad - you are no longer the lone star. And you will be humbled. It is not sustainable, we saw your decline at the end of last season.
Not a single constructive argument, just insults. How unfortunate.
Anyways — I will be posting a Palhinha/Olise to Bayern thread tomorrow, a more positive piece, stay tuned.
Anyways — I will be posting a Palhinha/Olise to Bayern thread tomorrow, a more positive piece, stay tuned.
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