Ian Wright has ignited a debate about race and perception in English football, asserting that England is "not ready for a black superstar" in the wake of criticism directed at Jude Bellingham. The former Arsenal forward and prominent pundit voiced his concerns following what he perceives as unfair treatment of the Real Madrid midfielder in the media.
Bellingham, a key player for both Real Madrid and the England national team, recently faced scrutiny after appearing reluctant to be substituted during England's 2-0 victory over Albania. Reports emerged suggesting that Bellingham "stropped" after being taken off the pitch. While manager Thomas Tuchel stated he hadn't seen the reaction, he mentioned he would address the matter with the midfielder. This incident sparked a wave of criticism from some media personalities, with one journalist describing Bellingham's reaction as "trademark indignation".
Wright, however, believes that the criticism leveled against Bellingham goes beyond a simple assessment of his on-field behavior. Speaking on The Overlap, Wright responded to a question from Gary Neville about whether Bellingham is being targeted due to his skin color rather than his performances, which led to Wright’s passionate defense of the player. He argued that Bellingham's self-assuredness "frightens" some people and that the country isn't ready for a black superstar. Wright highlighted that Bellingham's outspoken nature, combined with his exceptional talent, makes some individuals uncomfortable. He contrasted Bellingham with N'Golo Kante, a player Wright describes as a "humble black man," suggesting that Kante's perceived humility makes him more palatable to certain segments of the public.
Wright referenced a conversation with Raheem Sterling, where Sterling pointed out instances of unfair treatment based on his skin color. This, according to Wright, underscores a persistent issue within English football and the broader media landscape. He shared that he had sent a message to Bellingham advising him to "be ready" for the challenges that come with being a high-profile black player in England.
The comments have sparked considerable discussion online and in the media, with some supporting Wright's stance and others criticizing it as divisive. Supporters of Wright's argument point to historical patterns of racial bias in sports media, where black players are often held to different standards than their white counterparts. Critics, on the other hand, argue that Bellingham's behavior was genuinely problematic and that Wright is unfairly injecting race into the conversation.
Bellingham had been left out of the England squad for the October international games, but was brought back for this month's matches against Serbia and Albania. After sitting on the bench for the match against Serbia, Bellingham played as a substitute and assisted on Eberechi Eze’s goal. He was then named man of the match after the win over Albania.
