Ian Wright Claims Jude Bellingham Critics 'Not Ready for Black Superstar'

Ian Wright has offered a strong take on the recent criticism of Jude Bellingham, with the Arsenal legend suggesting that the media are not ready “for a black superstar”.

Bellingham has come under fire from some sections of the media in recent months, notably after he appeared annoyed when he was substituted for Morgan Rogers in the 83rd minute of England’s 2-0 win against Albania.

The Real Madrid man appeared to gesture and voice his disappointment towards Thomas Tuchel and the England bench as he trudged off in the Three Lions’ final World Cup qualifier - despite winning the Player of the Match award for his efforts.

This came after Tuchel previously explained how his mother described Bellingham’s on-pitch behaviour as “repulsive” before he later backtracked on the comment.

Nonetheless, some sections of the media have continued to report on a supposed feud between the player and the head coach.

And the reports were arguably fuelled by the fact that the German highlighted the importance of behaviour before adding that he “will review” Bellingham’s unhappy reaction to being substituted against Albania.

Since then, many pundits have weighed in with their takes on the matter and Bellingham’s general behaviour with Wright sympathising with the 22-year-old during an episode of The Overlap alongside Gary Neville, Jamie Carragher, Roy Keane, and Wayne Rooney.

First, Wright explained how quality “players like Jude” will “never like it” when they have to come off the pitch before adding that “he has to accept it”.

The former Arsenal forward then suggested that some of the backlash was rooted in racism.

“I’m worried for Jude simply because he’s somebody that they [the media] can’t control,” Wright said. “He’s showing people that I’m here, I’m black, I’m proud, I’m ready to go.”

Former United right-back Neville then looked back on a conversation he had with Raheem Sterling in 2016, during which the Chelsea man also claimed he was being unfairly treated due to his race.

“He felt as though he was being persecuted, that it was unfair, and it was basically not related to football,” Neville said.

Wright then continued and said that some sections of the British media aren’t “ready for a black superstar”.

“Who can move like Jude is moving?” Wright said.

“They can’t touch him. He goes out there, he performs, he does what he does, he says, ‘Who else?’”

The 62-year-old then compared the treatment of Bellingham to that of the 2018 World Cup-winning midfielder and France international N’Golo Kante.

“They all love N’Golo Kante,” he added. “He’s a humble black man, gets on with what he’s doing. Not saying that he’s an Uncle Tom or anything, 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 people.

“So someone like Jude, for some reason, frightens these people because of his capability and the inspiration he can give.

“It's something that you're taught as a black man when you’re going out there, you just want to do the best you can and keep your head down.”