Jude Bellingham showed his quality once more as he made his first Wembley start for England against Andorra on Sunday. Lining up alongside Liverpool skipper Jordan Henderson in midfield, the 18-year-old has often been tentatively linked with the Reds. However, after moving to Borussia Dortmund last summer, the former Birmingham City youngster has excelled in both the Bundesliga and Champions League, leading Henderson to label Bellingham “a fantastic player”. At the same age, Henderson was undergoing a loan spell at Coventry City from Sunderland, and the 31-year-old’s plaudits for the teenager are unlikely to quieten the calls to sign him from within the Liverpool fanbase.
Jordan Henderson said: “He is miles ahead of me when I was that age. Even at such a young age he shows fantastic maturity on and off the field. You can see how hungry he is to be a top player and has all the attributes to do that. I was trying to help as much as I could but to be honest he is a top player who has shown that in the big games for Dortmund. I see him going from strength to strength all the time. I don’t want to praise him too much and put too much pressure on him but he has a very good head on his shoulders, I’m told he has good people around him and a good family, and you can see that is an important part of him. I think he will be a top player going forward.”
With England currently making their way through a World Cup qualifying campaign, the Reds midfielder was asked if Bellingham could play a key role at the tournament in around 18 months time. Having made his senior debut in November, Dortmund’s talisman has eight caps so far, but faces competition to dislodge first choice pairing Declan Rice and Kalvin Phillips from Henderson himself. Though Bellingham has proved himself at the highest level. He produced outstanding displays as the German side battled against Manchester City in the Champions League and helped the Black and Yellows to victory in the DFB-Pokal last season.
Those qualities seem to have already revealed themselves to Henderson, who insisted Bellingham could be an important player for the Three Lions in a year’s time.
Jordan Henderson said: “Even at such a young age he looks ready to play in the big games. I watch him for Dortmund and the way he performs is outstanding. He showed again what he can bring. A year down the line he is only going to get better so he could have a big influence. But for me I’d say for him to just keep doing what he’s doing. Keep working hard every day in training, stay focused on what you want to achieve. Just keep your feet on the ground and concentrate on football. If he does that and stays fit he’ll be a top player. He already is a top player but he’ll go from strength to strength in the next [few] years.”
