JUDE BELLINGHAM FACING ANOTHER HUGE ISSUE DESPITE BEING CLEARED TO PLAY IN ENGLAND AND SWITZERLAND CLASH
England have received a huge boost ahead of their Euro 2024 clash with Switzerland, with Jude Bellingham cleared to play.
There had been concerns that the midfielder would be suspended for the showdown after performing a rude gesture in the 2-1 win over Slovakia on Sunday.
On Friday, UEFA opted to fine Bellingham €30,000 (£25,400) for his actions - which he insists were an 'inside joke' between himself and some friends.
Bellingham has also been given a suspended one-match ban, clearing him to play against the Swiss on Saturday in the process.
Yet England now have another huge issue when it comes to the magnificent 21-year-old.
Bellingham, like Wayne Rooney 18 years before him, has now put a target on his back.
Not just with the gesture, which some believe was aimed at the Slovakia bench. Bellingham has denied this - but not everybody on social media is convinced.
Bellingham is England's undisputed talisman. While they have other A-listers such as Harry Kane, Phil Foden and Declan Rice at their disposal, it is the Real Madrid star who is now central to the Three Lions' chances of glory.
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And with the youngster already on a yellow card following the win over Slovakia, he now faces being targeted.
Switzerland players will attempt to play on Bellingham's frustrations, which have been evident throughout the tournament so far.
It was a similar case with Rooney, particularly at the 2006 World Cup.
That year, the Manchester United star carried the hopes of a nation on his shoulders after shining during his first two years at Old Trafford.
But with England struggling to create many chances for Rooney, the striker's anger increased with each passing match.
By the time England faced Portugal in the quarter-finals, Rooney was reaching boiling point.
And his anger boiled over in that fixture, with Rooney seeing red for a wild stamp on Ricardo Carvalho.
Bellingham has been far from happy at the tournament so far, with critics taking aim at his body language.
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They have noticed him venting his fury at team-mates, refusing to let England become muddled in mediocrity.
And with Bellingham known for throwing his weight around on the pitch, there's now a real risk Switzerland players will do everything possible to wind him up and get him booked.
Meanwhile, England could make some big changes for the upcoming fixture as they look to make the semi-finals of Euro 2024.
There's talk of the Three Lions going with three at the back.
Speculation is rife both Bellingham and Phil Foden could be deployed in the No 10 area to coax the best from the pair.
And Cole Palmer could be drafted in after impressing on the wing against Slovakia last time out.
2024-07-05T12:36:45Z dg43tfdfdgfd
