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Topics: Graeme Souness, England, Scotland, Jude Bellingham, James Maddison
Josh Lawless
Topics: Graeme Souness, England, Scotland, Jude Bellingham, James Maddison
Fans have been left stunned by Graeme Souness' comments on Jude Bellingham prior to England's clash against Scotland.
The two sides met in a friendly at Hampden Park to mark the 150th anniversary of the first ever international football fixture.
Phil Foden put England ahead with an instinctive finish, following on from manager Gareth Southgate explaining why he will not play in his preferred position for his country.
And then Bellingham continued his stellar form for new club Real Madrid by doubling England's lead with an emphatic strike.
But prior to the game, on Channel 4's coverage, Scotland and Liverpool legend Souness irked fans when he said that Bellingham was only playing over James Maddison because he plies his trade with Los Blancos.
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Naturally, the remarks caused quite the stir on social media.
One said: "Quick reminder that according to Souness, Bellingham is only starting over Maddison because he plays for Real Madrid."
A second commented: "Pre-match Bellingham was described by Souness as 'only starting cause he plays for Madrid'. He’s simply run the show this evening."
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A third added: "Graeme Souness saying that Bellingham only starts 'because he plays for Madrid' absolutely reeks of lazy and poor punditry."
Another asked: "Has Souness ever actually watched Bellingham?"
A fifth weighed in: "Have I just heard that right from Souness? He genuinely believes Maddison is a better creative player than Bellingham and that he’s only being picked because he’s at Real Madrid? Absolutely terrible take in my opinion."
A final person wasn't having it either, stating: "Souness has never seen Bellingham play has he?"
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Former Dortmund man Bellingham signed for Real in an £88.5 million switch in the summer and took on the No.5 shirt famously sported by the one and only Zinedine Zidane.
The 20-year-old made his 26th appearance for his country against Scotland and continued to show he is truly a generational talent.