Richard Keys was embroiled in a disagreement with an angry Ruud Gullit regarding Jude Bellingham and his attitude
Real Madrid star Jude Bellingham has been caught in the middle of a spat between Ruud Gullit and Richard Keys. Manchester City’s win over Los Blancos was one of the main talking points on beIN Sports, with Gullit defending Bellingham after his attitude was again questioned.
The former Chelsea man said: “[Kylian] Mbappe, Vincius Jr and Rodrygo don’t do a lot off the ball. There’s a lot of others that have to work double and I think Bellingham is a victim of that.”
Keys chimed in and questioned: “A victim?”
Gullit replied: “Yes because he can’t play in the same way he could when [Toni] Kroos was there. When he and [Federico] Valverde are there, they have balance. Now it has to be another guy.”
Keys retorted: “He is an agitator, not a victim. He might be [a great player], but there’s a reason that Thomas Tuchel won’t pick him.”
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Gullit then slammed Keys’ comments, stating: “That’s a ridiculous suggestion. He is the best player they have. He just wants to win.”
Keys then added: “He might be a very good player, but his attitude is wrong. Tell me why two senior England internationals don’t want him around.”
An unimpressed Gullit hit back, saying: “A year ago they were talking about [Harry] Kane not being in the international team. He is the top scorer. There is always somebody with an opinion, but Bellingham is a certainty in the national team and if you don’t do that, that’s the wrong decision, for me.”
Keys finished off the disagreement by saying: “Well it’s Thomas Tuchel’s call and he is not making it and there’s a reason for that.”
Bellingham failed to inspire Real to victory on a big night at the Bernabeu as Manchester City defeated them 2-1, leaving the future of manager Xabi Alonso firmly up for debate. However, the England international has insisted that the Spaniard has the full support of him and his teammates.
He said: “100%. The manager has been great. I personally have a great relationship with him and I know a lot of the boys do too.
“After that run of draws we had some great conversations internally and felt we’d put that form behind us but the last couple of games. No one is downing tools, no one complaining or moaning. We take it on the chin and keep fighting.”
Real have won just two of their last eight games in all competitions, with a defeat to Liverpool in the Champions League kicking off a poor run of form.
Despite beating Alonso’s side, Arne Slot has been under significant pressure recently, with Liverpool losing three games on the spin by an aggregate score of 10-1 after that huge win at Anfield over Real.
Liverpool are currently four unbeaten, but that includes disappointing draws with Sunderland and Leeds United. The latter came after a last-minute goal, with the feeling of it made worse by Mohamed Salah’s brutal tirade after the game, having been an unused substitute for the second time in seven days.
His comments saw him omitted from the Liverpool squad that beat Inter Milan on Tuesday. He is not expected to feature against Brighton this weekend before heading to AFCON.
