Euro 2024: Former Liverpool star says Bellingham is not the world's best footballer

Former Liverpool star Didi Hamann has offered criticism of England midfielder Jude Bellingham during Euro 2024.

Hamann expressed that he does not currently view the Real Madrid player as the world's best footballer.

He suggested that England manager Gareth Southgate should consider replacing the 21-year-old with Phil Foden in the starting lineup, positioning Foden in the middle and using Cole Palmer and Anthony Gordon on the flanks. This recommendation comes ahead of England’s quarter-final match against Switzerland on Saturday.

"Between Phil Foden and Jude Bellingham, only one can play, and for me, that would be Foden. I would take Bellingham out, place Foden in the middle, and use Cole Palmer and Anthony Gordon on the flanks," Hamann wrote in his column for Sky Germany (via GOAL).

"Bellingham was hyped after his first six months in Madrid, but he has performed only averagely for Real since Christmas. In the Champions League, he was barely seen in the quarter-finals, semi-finals, and final. This is why I’m not surprised by his performances at the European Championships."

"Many are talking about the Ballon d’Or, but I don’t see him as the world's best footballer at the moment."