Paul Gascoigne has compared Jude Bellingham to Bryan Robson ahead of England’s crunch Euro 2024 clash with Denmark on Thursday night.
The Real Madrid star is currently being lavished with praise, having scored the winner for the Three Lions in their 1-0 victory over Serbia on Sunday night.
Aged just 20, Bellingham’s potential is off the charts.
He is already delivering for England on the big stage and flourished for Real Madrid as they won LaLiga and the Champions League last term.
Jude Bellingham has been hailed by Paul Gascoigne ahead of England’s crunch clash with Denmark
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And Gascoigne, speaking to The Mirror, has hailed Bellingham and dubbed the youngster ‘outstanding’.
“The kids are fearless,” he said. “Bellingham’s finish (against Serbia) was lethal, the way he timed it was brilliant, it reminded me of Bryan Robson.
“People were talking about him, I saw him briefly for England, then I watched him for Real Madrid.
“He was just outstanding, and I thought ‘look at that, he is going to be great’. And of course he is, he is a great player.
“At Italia 90, I had Peter Shilton, Bryan Robson, Chris Waddle, they had so much experience.
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“Bellingham is going to have to be a leader in this group because they are such a young squad.”
England boss Gareth Southgate has faced criticism, despite everything he’s achieved during his time in charge of the national team.
The 53-year-old has been accused of being too conservative in the past, with the Three Lions infamously missing out on Euro 2020 glory three years ago.
Yet while Gascoigne feels Southgate must win the European Championships this summer, he’s convinced the England boss has what it takes to end 58 years of hurt.
“He has to win it now,” he said. “I just wish England could do it and someone could get a hat-trick, to finally lay to rest the Geoff Hurst thing. We keep on talking about 1966, it is a nightmare.”
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Gazza added: “He was brave enough to bring in all these young kids.
“He has some great young talent. I saw Gareth at Wembley, he was saying how much he enjoys the job, and to take it on is real bravery. All England managers take so much stick.
“Graham Taylor was hammered, Bobby Robson got his fair share. What Gareth has achieved with these kids is incredible.”
And, on England’s upcoming clash with Denmark, the former Tottenham, Newcastle and Everton star sees the fixture being a ‘game of nerves’.
“The less fancied teams are all getting better, Albania went 1-0 up against Italy, so this is going to be a tough tournament to win for any of them,” he continued.
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Jude Bellingham has been compared to Bryan Robson by Paul Gascoigne as England’s Euro 2024 clash with Denmark looms
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“Denmark are strong, England have to get at least a draw against them, it will be a game of nerves.”
Bellingham, meanwhile, was happy after propelling England to victory against Serbia – and praised staff for helping to mastermind the win.
“Good game. I thought they are a very tough side. Very robust, strong and a big group of lads and it was important that we prepared well,” he said.
“The staff got it right. We prepared all week very well.
“We knew the roles we had to do. We try to keep to our own standards and try to do our own job.
Paul Gascoigne believes England can win Euro 2024 with Jude Bellingham this summer
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“It’s important that we got off to a good start. Positive inside the camp and onto the next one.
“I have got used to getting into the box, getting wide and trying to do that.
“I got into that habit at Madrid and I wanted to carry my form into the Euros. It’s a great start for me personally to get my confidence up and to help the lads get the win is the most important thing.”