Rio Ferdinand thinks Liverpool target Jude Bellingham is better than Steven Gerrard and Wayne Rooney were when they were aged 19.
It may be surprising to some to hear that Bellingham is still a teenager as he has already made a significant impact in the senior ranks.
The England international joined Borussia Dortmund in 2020 as they beat Man Utd to secure his services.
Joining the Bundesliga side has proven to be an inspired decision as Bellingham has been an integral player for them over the past couple of seasons.
Dortmund let go Erling Haaland during the summer and Bellingham has looked to step up this season to become their new star man.
Up to now, Bellingham has thrived this term even with the increased pressure that is on him to perform. The midfielder has grabbed eight goals and two assists in 18 appearances across all competitions.
It is expected that he will leave Dortmund next summer and Liverpool are among the clubs who are after him.
Real Madrid, Man Utd and Chelsea are also in the running so Liverpool have a battle on their hands to sign him.
Bellingham played the full 90 minutes in Dortmund’s 0-0 draw against Man City on Tuesday night. Owen Hargreaves stated after this game that he “walks into” any team in the world.
“For 19 years old, the kid’s amazing, I remember seeing him for the first time and just being blown away,” Hargreaves stated on BT Sport.
“We saw him in lockdown at the Etihad Stadium, his attitude, at his age, is just frightening.
“What he’s been able to achieve is out of this world, he’s going to outgrow Dortmund – with the greatest respect in the world to them. Everybody is going to want him, he walks into Barcelona, Real Madrid, everyone.”
Man Utd legend Ferdinand meanwhile has explained why he thinks Bellingham is ahead of the likes of Gerrard and Rooney at the same age.
“I think he improves every team in the world, he’s that good,” Ferdinand said.
“For young players aspiring to become footballers, you’ve got to understand that, your attitude and mentality play such a big part of that.
“He just runs into space, you don’t just walk into games and things just happen. There’s a process to go through and that comes from mindset, mentality, dedication and talent but the mentality and mindset are huge.
“19 years old in Champions League football, how many of us were being talked about ‘oh we’ll give him the armband’?
“There’s a queue that’d go out the dressing room before we’d get it and you’re talking about the best of our generation, the Steven Gerrards, Frank Lampards, Wayne Rooneys – they weren’t in the Champions League at 19.
“This kid, we’ll give him it and there’s no qualms about it, not a question because we know he’s ready.”
READ MORE: Liverpool get surprise Man Utd assist in Bellingham transfer chase as Salah ‘forced to apologise’
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