Gareth Southgate plots urgent talks with Jude Bellingham as Rooney urges ‘frustrated’ England star to ‘front up’

JUDE BELLINGHAM turns 21 on Saturday as a champion of Europe, a champion of Spain and as the finest player at the world’s most famous club.

He’s a multi-millionaire, a Ballon d’Or contender and an underpants model — so let’s not play those violins too loudly.

But after two matches of intense frustration and virtual anonymity at the Euros, we’re entitled to ask: Where has it all, at least temporarily, gone wrong?

Bellingham’s career has been on an unerring upward trajectory since Birmingham City retired his shirt at the age of 17 and packed him off to Dortmund.

Last summer’s move to Real Madrid was an instant and extraordinary success.

Bellingham netted 23 goals in his debut season — including late winners against Barcelona in both of his first two Clasicos — on his way to winning LaLiga and then the Champions League.

And now this, the bizarre idea being floated that Gareth Southgate should consider dropping the best player England have had for at least half a century.

After the goalless draw with Slovenia, Southgate admitted that he is going to speak to Bellingham about the need to channel his frustrations.

During dismal back-to-back draws against Denmark and Slovenia, the Brummie Galactico has looked thoroughly piddled off with refereeing decisions, with team-mates, with tactics which clearly aren’t allowing him to flourish.

The crushing, unremitting tedium of watching this joyless England team play football is bad enough.

Imagine being as good as Bellingham and having to play for them.

To be shoved out on to the left wing — as Bellingham was for long periods in the goalless grind against Slovenia — to accommodate Phil Foden, who has rarely if ever dominated a game for England.

The result was another miserable let-down for England supporters, who have turned against Southgate in their droves during this tournament.

Only Southgate’s England can turn up in Cologne — the perfume capital of the world — and stink the place out.

England lack express pace, they lack attacking intent, they lack experience in central midfield and they lack left-footed defenders.

But they do have Bellingham — and Southgate needs to allow him to thrive pretty sharpish or they will be home either this weekend or next.

Then the search for a new England manager would begin.

Bellingham has frequently grabbed big matches by the scruff of the neck for his country — against Senegal in the knockout stage of the last World Cup, against Scotland at Hampden Park, against Italy at Wembley and in the Euros opener against Serbia.

This is a man with a proven track record of winning international football matches and yet somehow his place in the England team is being questioned.

Foden returned home for the birth of his third child but it is not yet known whether the Manchester City midfielder will return for Sunday’s last-16 clash in Gelsenkirchen.

But there has been a problem in accommodating Bellingham and Foden in the same team.

And while the City man is a wonderful player and the reigning Footballer of the Year, his England career has not been in the same league as Bellingham’s.

If you are going to build a team around anybody, it is Bellingham.

There is plenty to be positive about with England — as long as you haven’t actually watched any of their matches.

The Three Lions have won their group and have ended up in a favourable half of the draw away from all four of the tournament’s strongest teams.

But they can only progress from here if Bellingham takes the leading role, as he did so impressively in the first half against the Serbs.

His is too great a talent to waste.

ENGLAND served up another underwhelming performance – but still managed to top Group C.

England dominated the ball, but Southgate will have plenty of questions to answer after a third straight display that lacked inspiration.

SunSport’s Tom Barclay has given his ratings of the England players.

Jordan Pickford – 6

Largely a spectator due to England’s dominance on the ball. Asked the touchline what the Denmark score was during one break in the second half.

Kieran Trippier – 6

The one positive of having a right-footed player playing left-back is that he can dispatch in-swinging crosses, and one such one should have been headed home by Conor Gallagher before the break.

Marc Guehi – 7

Cruyff turn early doors showed his confidence from excellent displays against Serbia and Denmark, and barring one loose pass was good again.

John Stones – 6

One of many to miss his target with his passing. He wasn’t bad but, like others, way off what he has produced for his club.

Kyle Walker – 5

Played so safe, rarely looked to get forward. Was lucky at one point that Pickford was alive to his blast of a pass-back. Sliced cross after break summed up his off-night.

Conor Gallagher – 4

Got the nod after the Trent Alexander-Arnold midfield experiment ended, but was poor, particularly, in possession and replaced at half-time by Kobbie Mainoo.

Declan Rice – 7

Had promised an “in your face” performance from his team, but he was really the only one to produce it. Very good out of possession, much better than against Denmark.

Phil Foden – 7

Liveliest of England’s attacking four by a mile and went close with a stinging free-kick. Booked for dissent, summing up England’s frustration.

Jude Bellingham – 5

Cut a very frustrated figure as he and Harry Kane got in each other’s way at times, while he was often shunted wide left as Phil Foden moved into the middle.

Bukayo Saka – 6

Tapped home on 20 minutes, but it was ruled out for offside in the build-up. OK but once again subbed after the break, perhaps due to fitness concerns.

Harry Kane – 6

Insists he is 100 per cent fit and maybe he is. What is 100 per cent certain is that he has been nowhere near as effective in this tournament as he usually is for England, albeit he was marginally better here.

Substitutes

Kobbie Mainoo (for Gallagher at half-time) – 7

Made a difference when coming on, making England much more positive in their play. So much more confident with his touch than Gallagher.

Cole Palmer (for Bukayo Saka on 71) – 7

Finally made an appearance at this tournament and one clever ball through for Mainoo showed what he can do.

Trent Alexander-Arnold (for Kieran Trippier on 84) – 6

Came on for the final few minutes at right-back, with Walker going to left-back.

Anthony Gordon (for Phil Foden on 88) – 6

Like Palmer, first minutes at the Euros, but too late to make an impact.