Ian Wright gave a powerful speech defending Jude Bellingham, claiming recent criticism of the England star is deeply rooted in racism
Ian Wright has launched an impassioned defense of Jude Bellingham, claiming England are “not ready for a black superstar”. In a powerful and moving speech, Wright argued that the harsh criticism Bellingham has received in some parts of the media stems from the fact that he is an “outspoken black man.”
Bellingham, 22, made headlines this week after being accused of reacting angrily to being substituted during England’s 2-0 win over Albania, having been recalled for England’s November match. Manager Thomas Tuchel stopped short of criticizing the England star but insisted that “action is important” and that he would discuss it privately with him.
The incident led to some backlash for Bellingham, but it came after reports that Bellingham’s personality was causing tension in the England dressing room after he was left out of the squad during the October international break. Bellingham, who has continued to perform admirably for Real Madrid this season, has established himself as one of the world’s best players in recent years and has found himself back in the spotlight in recent days, often coming under scrutiny.
But former England striker Wright, 62, defended Bellingham and said the criticism was deeply rooted in racism. Asked by Gary Neville if Bellingham was being targeted because he’s black rather than his actual performance, an emotional Wright told the Overwrap: “I had to do something in GQ a while ago and I said, as a British person, I’m British and I can’t hide that. When I was younger, everyone said, ‘You’re not really British,’ but yeah, I’m British.”
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“I don’t think they’re ready for a black superstar. Who can move the way Jude (Bellingham) is moving? They can’t touch him. He goes out and performs and does what he does and they say, ‘Who else is there?’ That’s too lucky for these guys.”
“Let’s put it in football terms. They all love N’Golo Kante. He’s a humble black guy who does what he does. I’m not saying he’s Uncle Tom or anything. That’s his character.”
“But even if you get (Paul) Pogba or Bellingham and you get that kind of energy, it’s not going to sit well with people. Guys like that. So somebody like Jude, for some reason, it scares these people because of his ability and the inspiration he can give.”
“When you go out as a black man, you’re taught to do the best you can, keep your head down, and be, for lack of a better word, a humble fucking slave.
“This is pulling from that kind of energy, because if you’re outspoken and you’re black and you play at that level and you don’t care, that scares certain people.
“That’s what’s happening with Jude. This guy is obsessed with Jude. He’s trying to get away from that kind of energy. He sees a black man doing the same thing Jude does and he can’t think that’s not virtuous. That he’s not a virtuous bastard. I’m going with it. That’s what it comes down to.”
During the conversation, former England manager Neville recalled a conversation he had with Raheem Sterling in 2016, revealing that Chelsea’s Sterling felt unfairly targeted by the media around the Euros because of the color of his skin. “He felt as if he was being persecuted and it was unfair and it had basically nothing to do with football,” Neville said.
Wright, who had just days before hit out at the media over rumors of a rift with Bellingham, added: “I sent a message to Jude[before England’s recent international match]saying, ‘Listen, I’m ready.’ I knew something was coming.”
“I said, ‘Get ready.’ Of course, it’s private, but he said, ‘Ready for what?’ I said, ‘Listen, it’s coming, and I’m here. I’m here, and I’m going to make sure I’m on this side.’
“Because what happens is, it comes and it keeps coming. It’s like a tsunami. If you don’t play well and do something, it just changes for a little while, because as soon as you play again and you don’t play well, it comes back.
“He said, ‘What happens,’ and I just told him, ‘Get ready,’ and here it is.”
Bellingham shrugged off the recent criticism and scorn and returned under Tuchel, playing in the 2-0 wins against Serbia and Albania, but proved to be causing some rift with England, with his ego and big personality often attracting criticism.
In the summer, he was called out by the England manager for “obnoxious” behavior, but Tuchel later retracted his comments.
But the 22-year-old remains a key player in the national team, having already made 46 appearances for England and scored six goals since his first cap in 2020. He starred for the Three Lions at last summer’s European Championship in Germany, scoring the decisive goal in the last 16 against Slovakia and helping Gareth Southgate’s side reach the final in Berlin.
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