Gary Neville and Roy Keane were both blown away by the maturity that reported Chelsea target Jude Bellingham demonstrated during England’s World Cup win yesterday.
Speaking on ITV, the two Manchester United legends lauded Bellingham for producing another incredible performance beyond his teenage years.
The 19-year-old was the heartbeat of England’s relatively routine round of 16 victory over Senegal last night.
He provided the assist for Jordan Henderson’s opener and was pivotal in Harry Kane’s goal just before the interval.
His game had so much more than contributing to the 3-0 triumph, though.
Bellingham tackled, dribbled, broke forward, defended, passed and probed throughout the evening.
If ever there was a highlight real to show emerging midfielders of how to play the game, Borussia Dortmund’s star boy delivered the perfect package.
Jude Bellingham gets the nod from Gary Neville
Pundits, teammates and compatriots alike all joined in unison to hail England’s standout performer against Senegal once the final whistle blew.
“I’ve not seen a young midfielder perform like that for years. You usually see that from a world-class player who is 26, 27,” Keane said at full-time.
“Everything he does in the game. He’s got that maturity, his decision making, what’s going on upstairs which is huge for a midfielder.
“Decision making, end product, final pass. The kid has everything.”
“Roy’s right, you very rarely see a midfield player as comfortable in his own half as he is in the attacking half. He looms like he can do absolutely everything,” continued Neville in the appraisal.
“Physically he is fantastic, so young. It’s the composure and maturity and fearlessness that I can’t get my head around.
“I watch players play for England for many years, the weight of the shirt was enormous. He just doesn’t feel it at all. He looks like he belongs out there, like he wants it, like he needs it in his life.”
Chelsea eyeing up Jude Bellingham
If a World Cup knockout fixture cannot displace Bellingham, then surely nothing else will.
Even the thought of potentially pulling on a Chelsea jersey one day wouldn’t phase him.
Todd Boehly apparently wants to turn that idea into reality, and is set to make a big bid to prize him from his Bundesliga settlement.
Big is the operative word, as it might cost the Stamford Bridge owner close to or upwards of £135m to sign Bellingham from Dortmund.
Splashing the cash won’t bother Boehly too much, especially if it means acquiring arguably the hottest property in world football right now.
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