EXCLUSIVE
‘It’s not cheap’ – England fans defended by talkSPORT hosts after Jude Bellingham retort
Jeff Stelling and Gabby Agbonlahor have defended England fans in response to Jude Bellingham’s recent ‘pile on’ claims.
The Real Madrid star came out fighting after Sunday’s dramatic victory over Slovakia which saw him score a stunning last-gasp equaliser to spare the Three Lions’ blushes.
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Not for the first time at Euro 2024, fans expressed their annoyance at England’s sub-par performances which later sparked Bellingham to hit back.
The 21-year-old revealed the team ‘hear people talk a lot of rubbish’ and that his goal in the fifth minute of added time, was an opportunity to give them a little bit back.
While there has understandably been frustration on both sides, Stelling believes England’s stars must learn to take the rough with the smooth and admits fans have every right to call out the Three Lions’ underwhelming displays.
“The England fans have been nothing but fantastic towards the England players in my opinion,” Stelling told talkSPORT. “If you take the praise and take the rich rewards that come with being a professional footballer, you have to take the flack sometimes as well but they haven’t had too much of it.”
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Former Aston Villa striker Gabby Agbonlahor, who has been on media duties in Germany alongside Stelling, was in total agreement with his broadcast host.
“I’ve been there as a player, you get stick and it’s natural for anybody in any job when you’re getting stick, to have a little bite back,” he added.
“What the players have to realise is the fans have been positive.
“When the players are passing it around at the back with five minutes to go and you’re getting knocked out against Slovakia, they’ve got a right to moan.
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“So I think the players have got to be very careful and maybe get together and start to understand that they need the fans on side.
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“When you start having little problems with the fans, it doesn’t end well for players.”
England’s march to the latter rounds comes at a price for fans who either opt to extend their stay in Germany or fly between the UK and host cities for each matchday.
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Next up for England is Saturday’s quarter-final clash which will see fans flock in their droves to Dusseldorf.
Having already ventured to Cologne, Frankfurt and Gelsenkirchen twice, Stelling was quick to point out the huge sacrifices made by England’s travelling support.
“A lot of fans have made big sacrifices to come out here, it’s not cheap,” Stelling said. “They’ve maybe sacrificed a family holiday during the summer to come here instead and support England, so I think they’ve got a right to have their say.
“It’s been small pockets of criticism, nothing more than that.”
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.
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