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Tom Coley

Jamie Carragher and Thierry Henry agree on 'next Steven Gerrard' in Chelsea transfer verdict

Thierry Henry and Jamie Carragher agreed that Chelsea transfer target Jude Bellingham has characteristics that make him a prime option for Liverpool moving forward. Speaking before the Borussia Dortmund star played against the Blues at Stamford Bridge in the Champions League he was compared to one of the Premier League's all-time greats.

Bellingham, who was brilliant for the Three Lions at the World Cup over the winter, has suitors from across Europe as he finds himself at the centre of immense transfer speculation. Both Liverpool and Chelsea are among the teams keen on signing him whilst Manchester United and Real Madrid are other parties keeping tabs on the situation.

With a massive price tag for the teenager, who doesn't turn 20 until the summer, the clamour for his signature continued on CBS Sport during the Champions League coverage with former Arsenal man Henry giving glowing praise. "He's all round, he's complete, we all know that he likes to show some movements and skills going forward," he said before the game.

READ MORE: Ten Chelsea players who will be missing from squad to face Borussia Dortmund in Champions League

"What a player, I think a lot of teams want him but we all have an idea about where he ends up, Jamie," continued Henry, hinting that his next destination could be at Anfield. Carragher then replied: "Hopefully, fingers crossed."

Although the ex-Reds defender was coy on the transfer itself, he was keen to find out who Henry compares Bellingham to. "That's a tough one because he's more of a modern type of guy," he explained. "I played with Xavi and Iniesta, they were more passers of the ball then Yaya Toure when I played with him was lower.

"Patrick Vieira had a bit of that but he was a bit more tenacious when getting the ball back but when he was playing it was very difficult to stop him and I know people remember him with the kicking but he could play and score goals from time to time. Bellingham is a modern midfielder and that's why everyone wants him because he can do almost everything."

Henry then went a step further, pushing the likeness to one of Liverpool's best players ever. "Yeah he does [remind me of Gerrard], I have to say," accepted the Frenchman. "But what I find, you [Carragher] played with the big man and I love him, Stevie G had something, he used to drag his team with him and make everyone play better.

"I don't know if Bellingham has that yet but if we talk about the quality and what he does, if he goes to that team [Liverpool] he can have that impact of a Stevie G."

With praise like that, it's no surprise he is wanted by all the top clubs.

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