Peter Crouch has dismissed the pre-tournament criticism directed at Jude Bellingham as absurd, insisting that England's midfield talisman responded to his doubters in the most emphatic way imaginable at the World Cup this summer.

Bellingham, who rose from a 16-year-old professional debutant to a £100 million Real Madrid signing while still a teenager, delivered one of the outstanding individual performances of the tournament — finishing with seven goals as England claimed third place after a semi-final defeat to Argentina.

Crouch's Azteca experience

The former Liverpool and England striker was in attendance at the iconic Estadio Azteca when Bellingham produced a match-winning display in England's last-16 victory over Mexico, netting twice to send the Three Lions through.