Leeds really wanted a £9million man in 2023 but Jude Bellingham put them to shame on Sunday night

It proved to be the only goal of the game as England dominated the first half without creating a huge amount of chances and then had to defend against a much improved Serbia side after the break.

Bellingham was a one-man show in the first half. The former Birmingham City man is simply everywhere, whether on the edge of his own box making a tackle or eight yards out, heading for the top corner.

England no.10. met with a midfield that included former Lazio player Sergej Milinkovic-Savic in an attacking role. Deeper in midfield and trying to keep Bellingham quiet, Nemanja Gudelj and Sasa Lukic.

Leeds wanted to sign Serbian Sasa Lukic in January 2023

Rewind 18 months, Leeds have been trying to bring some steel to the midfield to help them in their fight against relegation from the Premier League. Eventually, of course, they signed Weston McKennie from Juventus.

This did not go to plan as Lukic, 27, moved to Fulham for a fee of £9m. Lukic didn’t have a better spell at Fulham, playing just 41 times in all competitions and starting just 21 of those games.

But ahead of the January window, it was claimed that Leeds were leading the race to land Lukic from Serie A Torino. Of course, no move happened and Lukic went to Fulham – perhaps dodging a bullet.

Bellingham embarrassed Lukic, especially in the first half

Bellingham was always going to tire towards the end of the game, having had such a long campaign with Madrid, and sure enough, he was subbed off after 86 minutes. But in the first half, he ran around Lukic.

Gudelj, too. Indeed, the latter was taken off at half-time after picking up a yellow card, and Lukic wasn’t far behind him, limping off the pitch after an hour. Bellingham had made him look decidedly average.

By getting past Lukic and Gudelj, Bellingham also won the physical battle against the duo. He scored the goal and was easily the best player on the court, but Lukic couldn’t get close to Bellingham.

The ex-Dortmund man made it feel like Lukic wasn’t even playing, it’s certainly hard to remember anything Lukic did meaningfully and if Leeds were excited we should be glad Fulham got him.

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