Jude Bellingham, hailed for his performance against Serbia but invisible in the subsequent match against Denmark, took a step back in the closing phase of the Euro group stage and, after an erratic duel against Slovenia, finds himself under scrutiny from England's demanding environment.

Around the British squad, there are always voices dictating the current state of affairs for a team that, so far, hasn't thrived in the Euro Cup. Their fans endure 58 years without a title (since the 1966 World Cup), riding an emotional rollercoaster that defies logic at times. They oscillate between exaggerated optimism at signs of glory and harsh criticism at the slightest hint of failure.

Former British footballers, many of whom were internationals, now transitioned to punditry, freely express their unfiltered opinions. Figures like Gary Lineker and Alan Shearer openly comment on England's progress, their words resonating within the British squad's camp. Gareth Southgate had previously been their primary target, but after three games devoid of identity, negative opinions now turn towards other players.

One such player is Jude Bellingham. The Real Madrid midfielder debuted to global applause with a more-than-decent performance against Serbia. He scored the winning goal (1-0) with a powerful header, nearing his best games with Real Madrid, and was named UEFA's Player of the Match. Bellingham was riding high, expected to shine again against Denmark, but failed to deliver.

Kasper Hjulmand's Denmark squad dashed any hopes England might have harbored. They exposed the British team's issues, lacking a midfield conductor while right-back Trent Alexander-Arnold directed play. Declan Rice, another pivotal figure, remained absent, and Conor Gallagher, a second-half solution, also fell short. Meanwhile, Bellingham went completely unnoticed.

With the midfield problem in focus and Southgate under fire for admitting Alexander-Arnold's role was an 'experiment' to replace the absent Kalvin Phillips, Bellingham escaped initial scrutiny. He had another chance against a weaker team, Slovenia, to regain his stride and at least maintain his debut level.

Bellingham and his worst stats against Slovenia

However, the opposite occurred. Bellingham's performance dipped further. It was far from his best. Post-match statistics highlighted his frustration: no chances created, no shots on target (only one throughout the Euro Cup), no completed passes in the final attacking third, only 12% of his passes forward, a meager 22% duel success rate (England's worst), and losing possession 16 times (worst in his team).

His insignificance didn't go unnoticed this time. Lineker, for instance, criticized England's emblem: 'In both halves, I thought Bellingham was sometimes on the left side. Jude had a bad night. After a great game against Serbia, he's struggled since. I think he chases too many lost causes,' he said on his podcast.

On BBC, goalkeeper Joe Hart also pointed out Bellingham's poor showing: 'It just didn't quite work out, and he's had a couple of quiet games,' he affirmed. These were among the critiques leveled at the Real Madrid player. So far, fans haven't turned on him, though they are clearly frustrated with England's performance in the Euro Cup, even showing discontent by throwing cups from the stands during the Slovenia match, with Southgate now squarely in their sights.

'I understand it. The most important thing is that the fans stay with the team. I understand the discourse around me, but they're creating an unusual environment to operate in. Among the teams that have qualified, I haven't seen anything similar. I get it, but I won't step back. I'm very proud of the players for how they're dealing with this atmosphere,' said the British coach in a press conference after the Slovenia clash.

Southgate appears to be the shield and the wall against all criticisms from the demanding English fans. He shoulders the blame like a true penitent. He was also the punching bag for media and former internationals turned pundits. For now, Bellingham hasn't entered the wrath cycle of the fans. However, the dangerous spotlight of the British press and retired players is turning towards him. In the upcoming round of sixteen, he'll have a chance to silence them all. Meanwhile, Bellingham is already in the crosshairs.