Pundit slams Bellingham for distraction attempt on Harry Kane
Former England international Chris Sutton has slammed Jude Bellingham for disrespecting his compatriot Harry Kane during Bayern Munich’s Champions League clash with Real Madrid. Bellingham attempted to distract Kane before he took a penalty by getting into his ear.
The Bayern striker, though, buried his spot-kick to put the Bavarians 2-1 up, although Vinicius Junior brought up his brace late on with a penalty of his own as the European giants drew 2-2 at the Allianz Arena in the first leg of their Champions League semi-finals.
Sutton, now a sports pundit, was on Daily Mail’s It’s All Kicking Off podcast recently, where he spoke of Bellingham’s antiques, and felt that he showed a lack of respect for Kane. The 51-year-old said:
“I was surprised. Whether you like it or I like it, it doesn’t matter. Did Harry Kane like it? Does Harry Kane like it 24 hours on? I think he would feel there’s a bit of a lack of respect there. I really, really do. They’re off to the Euros together. There’s a big competition, a big moment. You can understand the desperation for Bellingham, for Real Madrid to go through. But I thought it was a strange move. He’s had a brilliant start to his career, exceptional at Dortmund. He’s gone to Madrid but maybe people are viewing him as someone who may be getting a bit above his station when he does stuff like that.”
Kane, though, revealed he faced no problem on the incident.
“I spoke to him after and he said: ‘I know you’re going to go left of the keeper’. But it was nice for me because I saw the keeper go a little bit early and I put it away. I knew [Bellingham] was there but I didn’t know what he said. But I went left anyway.”
Real Madrid host Bayern Munich for the second leg at the Santiago Bernabeu on Wednesday, 8 May.
Kane and Bellingham will be key for England at Euro 2024
Harry Kane and Jude Bellingham might be on the rival sides in the Champions League, but at the upcoming Euro 2024, both will be a part of Gareth Southgate’s England squad. Two highly talented players, Kane will obviously be relied upon for goals, whereas Bellingham’s creative brilliance will be essential in unlocking opposition defenses. Although the Three Lions are filled with talents in every department, Kane and Bellingham are the very cream of the crop, and could play a key role in their fortunes.
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