Ian Wright Defends Jude Bellingham Amid Mounting Criticism Over His On-Field Temperament
England legend Ian Wright has stepped in to defend Jude Bellingham, amid growing debate over the Real Madrid midfielder’s attitude, both in his national side and at club level.
Bellingham has recently come under fire for several incidents, including a heated exchange with a teammate during Real Madrid’s Club World Cup win over Juventus. Fans accused him of letting his ego run wild after the confrontation.
Meanwhile, during a Champions League game at Anfield, he reportedly waited in the Liverpool tunnel post-match, drawing criticism for what some described as “pathetic behaviour.”
However, far from burying him, Wright argues that some of the backlash misses the bigger picture. While acknowledging Bellingham’s fiery style, Wright and others insist the midfielder’s temperament is part of what makes him special, not a liability.
Supporting that view, England coach Thomas Tuchel has also spoken publicly about Bellingham’s edge: he says it must be channelled in the right way, saying the star’s aggression “needs to be directed at the opponent … not to intimidate teammates or referees.”
In past remarks, Tuchel caused controversy after calling some of Bellingham’s behavior “repulsive,” a comment he later apologized for, describing it as a poor choice of words made in the heat of the moment.
Tuchel argues that the 21-year-old’s passion is a key asset. “He brings an edge … which is needed if we want to achieve big things,” Tuchel said, adding that Bellingham’s fire is precisely what the team needs, if properly managed.
Wright, for his part, has urged fans and pundits to look beyond the headlines. He contends that Bellingham’s intensity should be seen not just as controversy, but as a defining trait of a young talent who is still growing, and capable of driving both Real Madrid and England forward.