Roy Keane believes Jude Bellingham can go on to become one of the greatest players of all time after the England and Real Madrid star's masterclass in a 7-0 victory over Croatia.
The 23-year-old scored once and assisted three as Thomas Tuchel's side inflicted Croatia's heaviest-ever defeat. England followed up their win over Czechia earlier this week as they continued to bounce back from their disappointment against Spain.
Keane's glowing praise
Captain Harry Kane netted twice, Bukayo Saka also scored two, with Anthony Gordon, Morgan Rogers and the Birmingham City academy graduate also on the scoresheet.
Speaking after the match, the former Manchester United midfielder said: "The way he's progressing as a player, there's so much to come. At this moment in time, he's an amazing footballer, the package, the power."
"There's so much to come from him, his leadership skills, his hunger and desire out of possession, he's such a young player, his desire to get into the box, he's making it so easy. Before the game, we were thinking (about) Croatia, they made them look like Gibraltar-type of team."
Bellingham's impact
Keane added: "Outstanding in every aspect, I think Bellingham can go on to be one of the greatest players of all time. Of course, if he avoids injuries but his attitude with England recently, I've praised him a lot but what he's doing out of possession lifts the players in the team, playing for Real Madrid doing brilliant things, that will inspire the players. He's a huge leader for them."
Bellingham provided assists for three different scorers, teeing up Kane for the opener, then providing Saka to make it four on the stroke of half-time. He played his part in the seventh goal as he provided Rogers with his second international effort to round off the scoring.
Saka's verdict
The Real Madrid star has shouldered more and more responsibility for England, popping up with key moments during the route to the Euro 2024 final and during the summer at the World Cup.
Saka said during a post-match interview with ITV: "He was amazing tonight to be fair. He deserved [England] player of the year and he probably deserves man of the match tonight as well. He was special. Happy to play with him and happy to have him in the England team."
