Teddy Sheringham is still purring about Jude Bellingham’s overhead kick at Euro 2024 and has likened him to Three Lions icon Paul Gascoigne.
Gareth Southgate’s side face Netherlands in Dortmund in the semi-finals of Euro 2024 on Wednesday, live on talkSPORT.
Real Madrid midfielder Bellingham has played every one of Gareth Southgate’s side’s games this summer, netting two goals in the process.
His acrobatic effort in the dying moments of the last 16 clash against Slovakia kept England in the competition, making it 1-1 before Harry Kane scored the winner in extra time.
And ex-England striker Sheringham – who popped up with heroic goals of him own during his Three Lions career, including against the Netherlands at Euro ’96 – says Bellingham reminds him of one of his old teammates.
“I think he is our Gazza,” Sheringham told talkSPORT Breakfast. “He could be the difference, coming up with something special.
“He’s already scored a very brave header in the first game, which has kind of gone unnoticed really, that he just got in there.
“He could’ve got his head smashed, but he didn’t.
“The overhead kick was just… his concentration and his belief that the ball was going to drop to him and it did drop to him and he was ready to convert that chance. Absolutely brilliant.
“That is focus at the top level that is, the expectancy level and the belief that the ball will come to you. I love that moment.”
Gascoigne built a reputation as one of England’s most exciting players, earning 57 caps and scoring ten goals between 1988 and 1998.
At Euro ’96, the midfielder pulled out an iconic dentist chair celebration after volleying home a goal against Scotland in a 2-0 win.
Sheringham started alongside Alan Shearer that day, with all three also playing in the 4-1 win over Wednesday night’s opponents, Netherlands in Group A, too.
England went on to lose to Germany on penalties in the semi-finals that year – but Bellingham, Southgate and co will want to go all the way and lift the Euro trophy this time round.
Should they beat Netherlands, the Euro 2020 runners-up will face Spain in a mouth-watering final on Sunday in Berlin.
talkSPORT is bringing you live commentary of EVERY game at Euro 2024. Tune in via the website or the app, and follow our live Euro 2024 blog for all the latest news, views and reaction to the big moments.
News Summary:
- I played with Gazza and Jude Bellingham is just like him – he is our game changer
- Check all news and articles from the latest Football updates.