Slovenia star reveals Jude Bellingham’s classy gesture after England draw despite disappointing Euro 2024 performance
JUDE BELLINGHAM was hailed as a “class act” for his gesture to Slovenia’s Timi Max Elsnik.
Bellingham started in England’s midfield for the final group stage match of Euro 2024.
But he struggled throughout the 90 minutes as Gareth Southgate’s Three Lions were held to a frustrating 0-0 draw.
Still, England topped the group while Slovenia also progressed to the last 16 despite their third-place finish.
Elsnik – whose had loans with Swindon, Mansfield and Northampton while signed to Derby – has been key to Slovenia’s success.
The midfielder joined talkSPORT to discuss his nation’s progression into the knockout stages.
And he revealed how classy Bellingham went out of his way to fulfil a promise made at half-time.
Elsnik said: “I asked him for the shirt and I actually asked him at half-time and we agreed at the end of the game in the tunnel.
“Then obviously we went to celebrate with the fans and one of my team-mates he went to him and took it off him.
“I went, ‘OK, he’s got the Bellingham shirt now, I’m not going to get it.’
England player ratings: Southgate's Gallagher experiment fails miserably vs Slovenia
ENGLAND served up another underwhelming performance – but still managed to top Group C.
England dominated the ball, but Southgate will have plenty of questions to answer after a third straight display that lacked inspiration.
SunSport’s Tom Barclay has given his ratings of the England players.
Jordan Pickford – 6
Largely a spectator due to England’s dominance on the ball. Asked the touchline what the Denmark score was during one break in the second half.
Kieran Trippier – 6
The one positive of having a right-footed player playing left-back is that he can dispatch in-swinging crosses, and one such one should have been headed home by Conor Gallagher before the break.
Marc Guehi – 7
Cruyff turn early doors showed his confidence from excellent displays against Serbia and Denmark, and barring one loose pass was good again.
John Stones – 6
One of many to miss his target with his passing. He wasn’t bad but, like others, way off what he has produced for his club.
Kyle Walker – 5
Played so safe, rarely looked to get forward. Was lucky at one point that Pickford was alive to his blast of a pass-back. Sliced cross after break summed up his off-night.
Conor Gallagher – 4
Got the nod after the Trent Alexander-Arnold midfield experiment ended, but was poor, particularly, in possession and replaced at half-time by Kobbie Mainoo.
Declan Rice – 7
Had promised an “in your face” performance from his team, but he was really the only one to produce it. Very good out of possession, much better than against Denmark.
Phil Foden – 7
Liveliest of England’s attacking four by a mile and went close with a stinging free-kick. Booked for dissent, summing up England’s frustration.
Jude Bellingham – 5
Cut a very frustrated figure as he and Harry Kane got in each other’s way at times, while he was often shunted wide left as Phil Foden moved into the middle.
Bukayo Saka – 6
Tapped home on 20 minutes, but it was ruled out for offside in the build-up. OK but once again subbed after the break, perhaps due to fitness concerns.
Harry Kane – 6
Insists he is 100 per cent fit and maybe he is. What is 100 per cent certain is that he has been nowhere near as effective in this tournament as he usually is for England, albeit he was marginally better here.
Substitutes
Kobbie Mainoo (for Gallagher at half-time) – 7
Made a difference when coming on, making England much more positive in their play. So much more confident with his touch than Gallagher.
Cole Palmer (for Bukayo Saka on 71) – 7
Finally made an appearance at this tournament and one clever ball through for Mainoo showed what he can do.
Trent Alexander-Arnold (for Kieran Trippier on 84) – 6
Came on for the final few minutes at right-back, with Walker going to left-back.
Anthony Gordon (for Phil Foden on 88) – 6
Like Palmer, first minutes at the Euros, but too late to make an impact.
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“And then in the interview area I waited for Stones and yeah John gave me his shirt so I actually swapped with John Stones.
“And then one of our analytics when we were up in the stands with our families, he came to me and said, ‘I have a shirt for you, you agreed with a player.’
“I said, ‘With who?’ And he said, ‘It’s Jude Bellingham’s shirt.’ So he remembered that he promised me.
“I was really surprised, I thought the moment was gone and he had given it to someone else.
“Class act from him that he didn’t forget… obviously it’s going to be a massive piece in my collection.”
Bellingham scored England’s winner in their opening game of the Euros – though he has had a dip in form since.
But Elsnik said: “It’s not easy for him, the season he’s had and the star he has become.
“One of the top footballers in the world he’s gonna get judged on every touch, every pass that he makes.
“He’s going to have bad games like everybody else but the consistency through the whole season that’s what you have to base him on.
“Maybe he’s going to be the key man in the knockout stages and be the hero for England in the end.”