Jude Bellingham is on course to become Europe’s most sought-after young midfielder as he continues to enhance his burgeoning reputation at Borussia Dortmund.The 18-year-old, who was part of the England squad that reached the Euro 2020 final in the summer, enjoyed an excellent debut campaign with the German outfit last season.Bellingham played 46 matches, scoring four goals, and won the DFB-Pokal - Germany’s equivalent of the FA Cup.Dortmund lost Jadon Sancho to Manchester United in the summer but managed to keep hold of the gifted Bellingham, along with star striker Erling Haaland.And Bellingham is currently in the process of cementing his status as one of the Bundesliga club’s key players."He's the most mature, most serious 18-year-old I've ever seen,” Dortmund defender Mats Hummels recently told reporters, per Goal."Jude is already one of the leaders. He's already one of the loudest on the team. I've already told him 25 times this year that I just love him."A great footballer, a great guy. He'll go his way 100 per cent, without any doubt about it."
Bellingham answers Gerrard or Lampard question
One of the clubs with a reported interest in signing Bellingham in 2022 are Liverpool.
And Liverpool fans are starting to believe that Bellingham could be convinced to join the Reds in the near future after a clip of him answering a Steven Gerrard vs Frank Lampard question was shared on social media.
Bellingham and Chelsea’s Reece James, who are roommates at international level, tested their friendship in a light-hearted quiz set by England’s YouTube channel.
One of the questions saw James answer the following: ‘If Jude could swap England shirts with any England player from the past who would it be?’
James thought his mate would say Lampard - and Bellingham was thrilled to learn the full-back had got the answer wrong.
“Frank Lampard?!” Bellingham said, sounding baffled. “Stevie G, bro!”
He added: “Let me tell ya: Frank Lampard, Ashley Young… he used to play for [Aston] Villa. Who put that in? What are you doing?”
Watch the funny clip here:
Fans want Liverpool to sign Jude Bellingham
And here’s how Liverpool fans have reacted:
Why did Birmingham City retire Bellingham's No. 22 shirt?
Bellingham came through the ranks at Villa’s rivals Birmingham City, who raised eyebrows by retiring the youngster’s No. 22 shirt when he left the club in 2020 - even though he was only 17 years old.
"In such a remarkably short space of time Jude has become an iconic figure at Blues, showing what can be achieved through talent, hard work and dedication," Birmingham said at the time.
"His caring, humble and engaging off-the-field demeanour has also made him such an impressive role model.
"The 22 shirt has become synonymous with Jude, his rise to the first team aged just 16 years and 38 days and these qualities.
"And as such the club have decided it would be fitting to retire this number, to remember one of our own and to inspire others."
Whichever club manages to sign Bellingham from Dortmund - whether that’s Liverpool or another top club - will not only be securing the services of a midfielder with world-class potential, but also a young man who makes a positive impression on everyone he works with.
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