“It’s ridiculous” - Alan Shearer slams Liverpool legend who claimed Jude Bellingham should be dropped by England

England icon Alan Shearer has hit out at former Liverpool player Dietmar Hamann after the former midfielder urged the Three Lions to drop Jude Bellingham. The 21-year-old superstar has notably come in clutch for Gareth Southgate's men at the Euro 2024 so far.

Bellingham scored the only goal to secure all three points in their group-stage match against Serbia. More recently, in their Round of 16 clash against Slovakia, the midfielder scored an injury-time overhead kick to equalize the game and push the Three Lions into extra time.

The Three Lions notably won the game and will now face Switzerland in the quarter-finals.

However, Dietmar Hamann has not been too impressed with the Real Madrid midfielder so far. He has urged Gareth Southgate to bench Bellingham, stating (via Mirror):

"Unless Gareth Southgate changes the team in two or three positions, I see little hope. Southgate is letting things go but he has to make a decision. Between Phil Foden and Jude Bellingham, only one can play and for me, that would be Foden."

"For me, you have to take Bellingham out, Foden in the middle and then Cole Palmer and Anthony Gordon on the flanks. And Southgate has to think about what he’s going to do with Harry Kane."

This did not sit well with Alan Shearer, who slammed Dietmar Hamann's opinion on the Rest is Football podcast (via Mirror):

"There is no way he should be dropped. How can you drop him? It’s ridiculous. Of course, he shouldn’t be dropped, he’s got to be in the team."

In the meantime, Jude Bellingham will be making preparations for his side's quarter-final clash against Switzerland on Saturday, July 6.

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Former player criticizes England head coach, hails Jude Bellingham's performance against Slovakia

Former Tottenham player Jamie O'Hara has praised Jude Bellingham for his performance against Slovakia, as he led England to a win in the Round of 16. O'Hara believes that Bellingham's overhead kick late in the game kept head coach Gareth Southgate in the England job.

In a conversation with Grosvenor Sport, he said (via EPL Index):

“Jude Bellingham has probably saved Gareth Southgate’s managerial career. Before that goal, it almost looked like Southgate was finished as a top-level manager."

O'Hara went on to wonder if the Three Lions head coach had learned anything useful from their previous tournaments. He also questioned the manager's tactical strategy and decisions, as England notably struggled to beat Slovakia.

The Three Lions have also been one of the worst attacking teams in Euro 2024, getting past the group stage with just two goals. They will need to exceed current expectations if they are to go far in the tournament.