Tribal Football

Ian Wright Hits Out at Bellingham Treatment, says England 'Not ready For Black Superstar'

Ian Wright Hits Out at Bellingham Treatment, says England 'Not ready For Black Superstar'
Ian Wright Hits Out at Bellingham Treatment, says England 'Not ready For Black Superstar'Bradley Collyer / PA Images / Profimedia

Arsenal and England legend Ian Wright has hit out at the treatment Jude Bellingham received from the media following England's World Cup qualification.

Bellingham was recalled by Thomas Tuchel for the games against Serbia and Albania having missed out on a place in the previous squad.

Advertisement
Advertisement

The 22-year-old was on the receiving end of criticism from certain sections of the English media for his reaction to being substituted in their 2-0 win over Albania.

Former Arsenal and England striker Wright has since jumped to the defence of the Real Madrid midfielder, claiming the country “isn’t ready for a black superstar.”

"I don't think they're ready for a Black superstar, who can move like Jude (Bellingham) is moving," Wright said on The Overlap YouTube channel

"They can't touch him. He goes out there, he performs, he does what he does, he says: 'Who else?' It's too uppity for these people.

"I'll put it in football terms. They all love N'Golo Kante. He's a humble Black man, gets on with what he's doing. That's just how his personality is.

"But if you get a (Paul) Pogba, or a Bellingham, and you get that kind of energy, that does not sit well with the people. Someone like Jude, for some reason, frightens these people because of his capability and the inspiration he can give."