Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola has delivered his verdict on 19-year-old England and Borussia Dortmund star, Jude Bellingham, amid consistent reports linking him with a move to either Chelsea or Liverpool.
Bellingham scored Dortmund's only goal in their 2-1 loss to Guardiola's City on Wednesday night and after the game, Guardiola was asked about the talent England have on their hands: "I was impressed when he was 17, imagine now that he’s 19, he grew up so [much]," said Guardiola, in his post-match press conference, via the Liverpool Echo.
"Defensively he’s able to follow Gundogan or Kevin [De Bruyne] in the pockets and win the duels. The transition is fast, have the sense for the second position right to the box for the goal he scored.
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"So he’s an exceptional player, I think everyone knows it. Not because the manager of Manchester City is going to tell you. Everybody knows it."
With the futures of N'Golo Kante and Jorginho at Stamford Bridge uncertain, the Blues are in need of long-term midfield replacements. Jurgen Klopp's Reds are in a similar boat though, especially considering how the likes of Thiago Alcantara and Fabinho have been impacted by injuries in recent months. The competition is expected to be fierce for the talented youngster and he isn't going to come cheap either.
It's rumoured that Dortmund already value him at more than £100million so a mammoth fee will be required to persuade the Bundesliga giants to sell. Plus, he looks a shoo-in for Gareth Southgate's Three Lions World Cup squad and quality performances on the biggest stage may inflate his value that little bit more.
However, unless Bellingham agrees on new terms with Dortmund before next summer rolls around, then he will go into the transfer market with two years left to run on his contract. Dortmund could be more tempted, or open, to selling the teenager with that in mind.
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