England star set for awkward reunion after Jude Bellingham World Cup slap controversy
Jude Bellingham’s actions at the World Cup mean one of his England team-mates may be in store for a very awkward run-in when he returns to club duties
Valentin Barco of Argentina(Image: Jose Hernandez/Anadolu via Getty Images)
England star Reece James has a rocky reunion in store once he returns to Stamford Bridge thanks to Jude Bellingham. That looks certain to be the case unless new £34million Chelsea signing Valentin Barco has a sudden change of character.
Bellingham, 23, found himself at the centre of Argentina’s scorn after bowing out to Lionel Scaloni’s squad in the World Cup semi-finals. The Real Madrid superstar reacted to a comment from Argentina substitute Barco during their celebrations and gave him a slap on the back of the head in retaliation.
Those actions led to a short-lived scuffle between the two sets of players. However, it’s no longer his problem as Barco prepares to complete a summer transfer to Chelsea from sister club Strasbourg.
Instead, the role of peacemaker will fall to Blues captain James, whose job it will be to integrate Barco into the squad this summer. And new manager Xabi Alonso will also have a task on his hands ensuring all those at the club with English connections get along with their newest team-mate.
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Barco, 21, previously made himself a target for England after storming the pitch to celebrate one of Argentina’s comeback goals in Atlanta. The left-sided star intentionally ran in the faces of England’s players in a mocking fashion before the Three Lions conceded their second.
This was followed by the unused substitute running to join the revelry with the rest of his squad at the full-time whistle. And it was here his comment in Bellingham’s vicinity drew a physical reaction from Thomas Tuchel’s No. 10.
Barco’s wife, Yaz Juareguy, slated Bellingham for his outburst and called him “useless” in a social media post after the game. She went on to suggest: “It’s better to do the talking on the field.”
Morgan Rogers, Chelsea’s new record signing, may also feel a certain way about Barco’s actions as they both join Alonso’s side this summer. The former Aston Villa man is good friends with Bellingham and may not warm quickly to his new team-mate following his actions.
Trevoh Chalobah is the third and final member of the Chelsea squad who was on England duty this summer. However, the centre-back has been linked with a potential return to Crystal Palace, where he was previously on loan.
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Former Premier League striker Gabby Agbonlahor has suggested Chelsea’s signing of Barco is a bad move. That’s due to the fact he believes the player will struggle to curry favour with fans after his less-than-virtuous celebrations against the national team.
“That’s a baffling signing for me,” he said on talkSPORT. “Because you can see the reception he’s going to get (at) every game he goes to, along with Enzo Fernandez.”
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