Steven Gerrard remained coy when asked if Jude Bellingham can be labeled as one of the 'best England midfielders' in recent years, but continued his praise of the Chelsea target. The 19-year-old has been heavily linked with an exit from Borussia Dortmund for a while now as he continues to impress for club and country.
Bellingham, who sees his contract at the Signal Iduna Park expire in 2025, has been subject to long-term interest from the Blues, football.london understands. The west Londoners watched the midfielder during his time as an academy player at Birmingham City but, after failing to act on their interest, the German outfit swooped in and signed the teenage sensation instead.
However, Chelsea are not alone in their pursuit of Bellingham. Gerrard has not been shy in his admiration for the youngster and he's often been heard trying to usher him towards a move to Anfield.
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In January, the former Liverpool midfielder appeared on BT Sport and suggested that his former club 'pay very well' in a bid to lure Bellingham to Merseyside. Gerrard said: "I am sure Jude Bellingham is bright enough to go, 'there is a stand going up here', this will be a 60,000 stadium.
"They have one of the best five managers in the world, they have won the Premier League of late, and they have been in Champions League finals of late. They pay very well here – that’s a fact.
"They have got some fabulous players, they develop players. It ticks an awful lot of boxes but Liverpool obviously, at the moment, are in the middle of the league."
This time on Channel Four ahead of England's clash with Italy, Gerrard didn't flout Liverpool's financial power but he did shower Bellingham with praise once more. When asked whether the Dortmund is star is the best England midfielder since his heyday, the 42-year-old said: "Listen, that’s not for me to comment on right now but we’ll certainly talk about a potential world class footballer.
"Someone who really seems focused at the moment, I think Gareth Southgate is trying to build a team around him, he’s that much of a talent. He could play in a slightly different role tonight, it’s important to mention even if he plays as that No.10 he might have to receive with his back to play a little bit which is different from running onto everything and arriving in the box.
"But I think he’s got a specific role today out of possession to jump all over Jorginho and Verratti if he can, steal the ball and break because there could be a goal there for him. A top, top talent, for sure."
Bellingham certainly enjoyed his appearance against Italy, running riot in midfield as England waltzed away 2-1 victors. The Three Lions are now set to lock horns with Ukraine at Wembley on Sunday afternoon as they look to continue their new-found form in the Euro 2024 qualifying campaign.
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