Teddy Sheringham believes that Pep Guardiola's decision to stay at Manchester City could hand them the advantage over Liverpool in the race for Jude Bellingham - a player he has likened to ex-Reds captain Steven Gerrard.
Bellingham enjoyed a dream World Cup debut on Monday afternoon when his deft header set England on the way to a commanding 6-2 win against Iran. A dynamic and powerful performance in the heart of the midfield earned plenty of praise and no doubt increased the price-tag that any potential suitors next summer will have to pay for the Borussia Dortmund star's services.
That number of interested parties is increasing with each performance and Liverpool look set to face stiff competition for a midfielder with whom they hold a long-standing interest - not least from Premier League rivals Manchester United and City. Guardiola confirmed he was to extend his trophy-laden tenure at the Etihad earlier this week, with reports that the deciding conversation with his family came just days after his side lost 1-0 to the Reds at Anfield last month.
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And former England international Sheringham believes that Guardiola's decision to further his stay in Manchester could be the difference maker in landing one of the most in-demand players in world football.
"Jude Bellingham was so impressive against Iran in every department," ex-Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur striker Sheringham told BoyleSports. "If Kalvin Phillips had been playing there's no way he'd have scored the first goal. Phillips would have been 25 yards back and watching the play unfold.
"Bellingham had been told to get forward and obviously had the legs to get back. He would be a brilliant signing for any 'big six' Premier League club. He's not a carbon copy of Steven Gerrard but they're similar in the fact they both drive forward from deep.
"In terms of which club he suits, Man United will want him but City and Liverpool are way ahead of them at the moment. City looks the most likely, particularly as Pep Guardiola is staying for another two years."
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