Jude Bellingham of Borussia Dortmund is the midfielder that everyone is referring to when discussing the best young player in the world. If you are looking for the best sports betting websites, then look no further than our CasinoDaddy pages.
Bellingham, who is only 19 years old, has established himself in the German Bundesliga over the previous two seasons after moving for €30 million from Birmingham City in 2020. Dortmund now values his services at over €120 million, but Bellingham has no contractual restrictions (unlike Erling Haaland, who left Dortmund for Manchester City this summer for €60 million).
Which club in Europe needs the England international the most, out of the major ones that have been watching him? Which matches his preferred playing style? Bellingham has a few options ahead of him.
Liverpool
A midfielder with Bellingham’s technical and physical skills is exactly what Liverpool needs. The entire midfield may undergo a makeover over the course of the upcoming transfer windows as manager Jurgen Klopp gets the team ready for their next stage of growth. Klopp has had to tinker in midfield due to injury or poor form, but he doesn’t seem to have found the proper combinations.
In addition to being unable to play regularly due to injuries, the next generation of Curtis Jones, 21, and Harvey Elliott, 19, has yet to demonstrate that playing in the center of midfield is in their long-term best interests. Then there’s the question of how long seasoned players like James Milner (36) and Jordan Henderson (32) can handle the dynamism and intensity needed to play 40 to 50 games a season. Really, the only thing you can count on is that Fabinho (age 28) will act as the anchor.
Bellingham’s athleticism (he rarely misses a game) and adaptability would be ideal for Klopp given the uncertainty surrounding Liverpool’s current midfield, and he could maybe take over Thiago Alcantara’s playmaking responsibilities as another injury-prone midfielder. But there is still one lingering query: How eager would Bellingham be to join a side that is still being developed? Any team he joined would benefit greatly from having him, but at Anfield, he might find himself moving around instead of settling into a more defined position.
Manchester City
There are still a few reasons Bellingham is reportedly attracting interest from the blue side of Manchester, despite the fact that the midfield for Manchester City may appear to be a well-oiled machine. Rodri and Kalvin Phillips are capable of playing holding midfield, but Bellingham would benefit from Guardiola’s propensity to give the more skilled central offensive midfielders space to roam, switch positions, and be creative. The versatility of the former Birmingham star, who has played as a No. 10 and a wide midfielder in the past, would undoubtedly have Pep Guardiola rubbing his hands together in anticipation.
In addition, Bernardo Silva’s long-term future may come up again in the summer since both Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain are reportedly interested in him, while Ilkay Gundogan’s current contract is slated to end in 2023. One would anticipate City to be aware of developments since they prefer to prepare ahead and are aware that box-to-box midfielders of Bellingham’s caliber, age, and versatility are uncommon.
The 19-year-old is already forming a strong bond with Phil Foden in the England squad, and he can see how effortlessly Erling Haaland, a colleague from Dortmund, has adapted to life at the Etihad. If City decides to follow their interest, he won’t be short of voices promoting a move to the Etihad.
Manchester United
Bellingham would give manager Erik ten Hag a variety of alternatives at Old Trafford in a side that typically lacks dynamism and agile runners in midfield. Bellingham would offer some of the same qualities and perhaps even more, as United had lost out on signing Frenkie de Jong from Barcelona in the offseason.
While Bellingham prefers to pick up the ball from deep and is developing his passing range, De Jong is undoubtedly the more tactical midfielder of the two. The latter, though, could prove to be the weak link at Old Trafford because of his ability to combine defense and attack with pressure-resisting dribbles and ball carriers. Additionally, he would give Manchester United’s midfield the penetration that it severely lacks right now.
Fred and Donny van de Beek, two players who could do comparable duties for United, have not yet had the impact that was anticipated, therefore Bellingham’s possible addition could up being one of the team’s most important acquisitions in the past ten years.
Real Madrid
The LaLiga and European champions are said to be interested in Bellingham despite already having a wide range of options in central midfield. The Spanish giants are constantly present anytime there is a chance to capture the best young players available, as seen by their paying enormous sums to attract world-class talent like Eduardo Camavinga (€31m) and Aurelien Tchouameni (€80m). If they don’t make another move to sign PSG striker Kylian Mbappe, the temptation to add another one in Bellingham may still be within their technical capabilities and financial reach.
Before the €70 million move of Casemiro to Manchester United made room, there was much discussion over how Real Madrid could fit all of their talents into a productive midfield with Luka Modric, Toni Kroos, Federico Valverde, Camavinga, and Tchouameni vying for spots.
Therefore, it’s not difficult to imagine Bellingham fitting naturally into the Bernabeu midfield in a year. When their contracts expire, Modric (37) and Kroos (32) are both eligible to be replaced, making the Englishman a significant draw. The most seasoned regular in central midfield under Carlo Ancelotti after two such high-profile departures would be Valverde (24), but the quality and compatibility of the incoming quartet would still make Madrid the favorites to repeat their domestic and European triumph.
Chelsea
Chelsea has the resources to compete for Bellingham’s services, but their interest in him may depend on how Carney Chukwuemeka performs this season. Chukwuemeka, who cost £15 million to leave Aston Villa this summer, has a skill set not dissimilar to Bellingham’s. Among their many parallels are their first-rate ball progression, great dribbling skills in packed areas, and capacity to have a significant impact in transition. Although he has yet to play for the club as a senior, it might not be long.
Chelsea doesn’t lack for central midfielders, but the club still lacks a standout who can make line-breaking runs and contribute creativity in the final third. Even if Bellingham and the new coach Graham Potter seem like a good fit—his love of pressing would be especially appreciated—Chelsea may find it difficult to convince the 19-year-old to sign with them given the other possibilities available.
Dortmund
Of course, staying in Dortmund is always a possibility. Bellingham has played 100 games and has contributed 13 goals and 18 assists, so he is familiar with the group and the style.
The midfielder’s contract has a year or so left before it expires in 2025, so Dortmund has the upper hand for the time being. However, the Bundesliga club will be eager to extend it, perhaps with a significant release clause of over €150 million. Bellingham, who is only 19 years old, will have plenty of time to think about his long-term plans.
