Graeme Souness calls Jude Bellingham ‘the real deal’ hours after saying he only gets picked ‘because he plays for Real Madrid’

Graeme Souness was left praising Jude Bellingham after rating James Maddison more highly just two hours earlier.

Bellingham put in another sublime performance for the Three Lions as he scored and assisted England’s friendly victory over Scotland.

Souness wasn’t sure about Bellingham pre-matchChannel 4

A stunning display quickly changed his mindAFP

The goal was the 20-year-old’s second for his country, and sixth in six games since his blockbuster move to Real Madrid in the summer.

The midfielder has long been on the scene as one of the best young talents on the planet after his emergence as a 16-year-old at Birmingham, but it took a live performance for Souness to be fully convinced.

Speaking ahead of the match on Channel 4, the Liverpool and Scotland legend said: “I’m an enormous fan of James Maddison. I think there’s room for Maddison and Bellingham in this midfield.

“If you look at Maddison’s numbers, his stats, scoring goals, creating chances – he shoots Jude Bellingham off the park. He’s far better. And yet he [Gareth Southgate] is choosing Bellingham because he plays for Real Madrid.

“But I’ll say that I think there’s room for both of them in that midfield. I think this England team that I watch are playing with the handbrake on. I think this team are capable of more than what they are showing.”

Maddison has undoubtedly had a fine start to life since trading Leicester for Tottenham, registering two goals and two assists in four games since his £40million move.

However, Bellingham has been in a league of his own in LaLiga, with five goals and an assist in four games, taking the newly-opened Bernabeu by storm.

And after continuing his incredible form for England against Scotland, Souness was quickly converted.

Speaking post-match, he said: “For a young man to have that kind of football brain, and he’s gifted with the genes he’s got because he’s a real athlete, a real powerhouse.

“I just love watching him. That’s the first time I’ve seen him play [live], running onto stuff, he can do everything as a midfield player.

Souness was converted by full timeChannel 4

“That’s the first time I’ve seen him live and I just loved watching him, he is the real deal.”

Adding to Souness’ comments, talkSPORT’s Jason Cundy was full of praise for the youngster.

“We are watching a future Ballon d’Or winner,” he said. “He’s stellar.

“This kid is off the clock. We are watching something special. He will surpass Gazza [Paul Gascoigne]. This kid is incredible, he rarely makes a bad run.

“We are watching one of the greatest young players England has ever seen.”