Ian Wright has leaped to the defence of Real Madrid star Jude Bellingham after criticism in the media, and claims that England “aren’t ready for a black superstar”.
Bellingham was left out of the England squad for the October internationals by manager Thomas Tuchel, who preferred to go with the same squad from the camp before that, but was brought back into the fold for the fixtures this month against Serbia and Albania.
After being left on the bench for the win over Serbia, Bellingham came on as a substitute and played a role in Eberechi Eze’s goal, before being named man of the match for his performance in the win over Albania a few days later, where he was named in the starting lineup.
Bellingham was substituted in that game, with reports coming out afterwards that he stropped as he was brought off the pitch, although Tuchel said after the game that he hadn’t seen that but would have a word with the midfielder.
But while appearing on The Overlap, Wright was asked by Gary Neville if he is being targeted for his skin colour rather than his actual performances, which sparked a powerful message from the Arsenal legend.
“I had to do something for GQ not long ago, and I said as an Englishman, I’m an Englishman, I can’t hide from that. Even thoug when I was younger people would say ‘you’re not really English’, yeah I’m English.
“I don’t think they’re ready for a black superstar. Who can move like Jude [Bellingham] is moving. They can’t touch him. He goes out there, he performs, he does what he does, he says ‘who else?’. It’s too uppity for these people.
“I’ll put it in football terms. They all love N’Golo Kante. 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 Pogba, or a Bellingham, and you get that kind of energy, that does not sit well with the people. That kind of person.
“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. And be, for want of a better term, a humble f****** slave. This is dragging up from that kind of energy. Because if you are outspoken, black, and playing to that kind of level and not caring, that frightens certain people.
“That’s what’s happening with Jude. This guy is obsessed with him. He’s moving off that type of energy. He can’t see a black man doing what Jude is doing and not think that it’s not uppity. That he’s not an uppity n*****. I’m going with that. That’s what that comes down to.”
“I sent a message to Jude saying ‘listen my friend, be ready’ [before England’s recent internationals]. Something was coming, I could feel it.
“I said ‘just be ready’. The thing is, of course it’s private, but he said ‘ready for what?’. I said ‘listen, it’s coming and I’m here. I’m going to be here and I’m going to make sure that I’m going to be on this side.
“Because what happens is it comes, and it just keeps coming. It’s like a tsunami. Unless you play well and do something, that just shifts it for a little while, because as soon you play again and don’t play well, it comes back.
“He said ‘what’s coming’, and I just told him ‘be ready for it’, and it’s here.”
Neville mentioned the time that Raheem Sterling came to him to point out that he was being unfairly treated for the colour of his skin, and there was a general agreement around the table that Bellingham’s criticism is coming from a place that isn’t necessarily about his performances or ability.
Wright has now made his position clear and has put it out into the universe that it is something to look out for. He made his defence of the player public on Instagram too, and now will be looking to ensure the player is properly protected going forward.
Ian Wright Slams Media For Jude Bellingham Criticism After Albania 0-2 England
Wright saw the criticism and he felt the need to respond.
