On the eve Liverpool’s pre-season tour of Asia in July, Jurgen Klopp was asked about ongoing speculation linking Jude Bellingham with a move to Anfield.
“He’s not on the market, so that’s the first problem with that player. Actually, it’s the only problem with this player,” he smiled.
Klopp is a big admirer of the Borussia Dortmund player midfielder, but Bellingham signing this summer was not realistic for Liverpool. Already having lost a prolific striker Manchester City to Erling HaalandGerman BundesligaClub did not intend to sell any other prized assets.
However, the landscape will change next summer. Bellingham will have two years remaining on his contract, as things stand,And if that is the case, Dortmund’s resolve to keep him is set to be severely tested.
Liverpool will certainly be in the mix but competition for English football’s most exciting young talent is set to be fierce. Real Madrid, Manchester City, Manchester United and ChelseaAll of us have a strong interest.
City boss Pep Guardiola, for example, described Bellingham as “exceptional” after he delivered a commanding performance in last week’s 2-1 Champions LeagueHe beat Dortmund at the Etihad. He made a record 100 appearances on Saturday Dortmund celebrates their victory over Schalke in the derby — a remarkable achievement in itself given he only turned 19 in June.
The battle for Bellingham already is underway.
What is Dortmund’s stance? Which of his potential suitors is the best at the moment? This is why this teenager is so sought-after.
“Jude is very happy at the club, he is very committed to us,” Dortmund sporting director Sebastian Kehl recently told UK broadcaster BT Sport. “Hopefully he can stay, next season and for a long time. We strive to keep our best players. Jude is one of them and we try to keep him around for as long possible.
“But in the end, money is another aspect and EnglandPays a lot more than Germany. We have to renew our philosophy every year.”
Dortmund senior sources denied suggestions that they were already ready to lose Bellingham next season. They insist there has been no contact with Liverpool — despite some reports suggesting talks between the clubs have already taken place.
Dortmund, who purchased him from Championship side Birmingham City for an initial fee of £25million (now $28.5m), rising to £30million, in July 2020 intend to offer him improved terms in the hope he will sign a contract extension and continue his eye-catching development in Germany.
However, if Bellingham does push for a move, Dortmund are adamant he is valued at around €150million (£131.6m, $149.4m). This would make him the most costly British footballer of all time. Unlike Haaland’s transfer to City in June, there is no release clause involved. His family never gave an indication that they wanted one — confident in Bellingham’s ability to the point that interested teams would pay what was required when the time came for him to take the next step.
“The club (Dortmund) have done loads for me and made me feel very welcome since I first came and gave me the opportunities to develop even further. To look past that and into the future would be disrespectful,” Bellingham said, diplomatically, when questioned last week.
Liverpool’s interest in Bellingham dates back nearly a decade.
When he was in the Birmingham under-11s, he traveled up to Merseyside along with his parents Denise & Mark for a two day stint at the Kirkby academy. He made a lasting impression upon staff with his talent and maturity during his stay. He participated in training sessions and was given a tour.
Liverpool hoped to convince his family that the two-hour drive north from Midlands would be worth it. They would have admitted Bellingham if it had been successful. Rainhill High School. At that time, signing him would have cost around £9,000 in compensation.
Matt Newbury, now their head of senior academy recruitment, knew Bellingham’s rich potential well having previously worked for Birmingham before making the move to Liverpool in 2012. They presented their case and waited for an answer.
It was a disappointment. His parents had decided against him moving away from his family, so he stayed at Birmingham. He was also pursued by City and Chelsea at the same time.
Liverpool respected their decision and continued to keep close tabs on his progress as he went on to become Birmingham’s youngest ever first-team player, at the age of 16 years and 38 days, in August 2019. Within one year, he was breaking Bundesliga records.
Birmingham was 17 when Bellingham left. It was given to him by academy staff. He was an excellent No 4, No 8, and No 10, so they combined those numbers..
He stood out from the beginning, at least up to under-eights. He was already training with the first team at the age of 15.
Birmingham has always refused to reveal the details of their deal with Dortmund. They do however have a sell-on clause that guarantees them a portion of any future transfer fees, which club sources claim is still higher than five percent.
Bellingham against Wayne Rooney at Birmingham (Photo by Bradley Collyer/PA Images via Getty Images).
Bellingham, who grew up admiring Anfield legend Steven Gerrard’s football skills, has spoken out about his pride at being named as one of the top five international midfielders by the Aston Villa head coach. Bellingham also has a strong bond with Liverpool’s current captain. Jordan HendersonDuring their international duty time together.
“I like the way he plays. I like his personality. That is the most important thing. I love the way he conducts his business. I’ve got nothing but good things to say about him. The sky is the limit for him, really,” says Henderson. It is mutual respect. Bellingham described Henderson as being the most professional player that he had ever played with for England.
Liverpool’s recruitment staff view Bellingham as the complete box-to-box midfielder. He ticks all the boxes and it’s an area of Klopp’s squad that will be in need of a serious revamp after this season, with Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, Naby KeitaAnd James MilnerAll are out of contract.
After Monaco’s Aurelien Tchouameni opted to join Real Madrid instead of them this summer, Liverpool didn’t pursue an alternative — at least, not until their injury crisis really cut deep late in the window. They agreed to a season-long loan. Juventus’ Arthur Melo on deadline day. Part of the reluctance to commit funds in August was down to the fact that other targets they wanted, such as Bellingham, simply weren’t available.
There is a fear the price of any deal — both in terms of the fee and wages — could escalate significantly if he lights up the World CupThese November and December. It seems unlikely that Dortmund will reach an agreement with the team before the tournament, which begins in two months.
Putting in the groundwork with Bellingham’s father, who continues to have a major influence on his son’s career, is currently viewed as a priority for his suitors.
Manchester United were the English team closest to landing him, even though he was signed by Dortmund.
At the time, mum Denise headed out to Germany to live with him, while Mark, who had juggled his police career with being a prolific goalscorer in non-League football for clubs including Halesowen Town and Stourbridge, stayed in the Midlands with their younger son Jobe, now 16, who recently agreed his first professional deal — also with Birmingham. The move to Germany was sorted out with the help of sports lawyer Oliver Hunt from the firm Onside Law, as per Hunt’s own Twitter account.
The Bellinghams visited United’s training ground prior to a deal being agreed with Dortmund. Staff remember Mark as thorough and professional. They asked questions about daily operations, and how to sustain managers.
United had been able to watch Bellingham at different levels 46 times since the age 12 and it was clear that United wanted him to be signed immediately. Reports that focused on how Bellingham moved and where he received it were glowing.
John Murtough, the football director, struck up a friendship with Mark that has lasted to this day. Bellingham tried to sign United when he was 15. However, a deal could not be reached and the family remained loyal to Birmingham.
By the time Bellingham broke into Birmingham’s first team, United already had huge amounts of information on him. Mike Phelan, assistant manager, traveled to Bellingham’s home to see him in action. West Bromwich Albion. He sat with Birmingham’s owners that day, who were open to selling the youngster in order to ease the club’s financial problems.
Phelan told United’s then-manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer that Bellingham was a player of the potential of Gerrard and Paul Scholes.
For the family’s visit in March 2020, Solskjaer, who was desperate to land Bellingham, put together a committee in a bid to present a compelling case.
Technical chief scout Mick Court had an array of Bellingham youth-game footage overlaid on video of United first team in action, detailing how he might function in various formations — for example, at the foot of a midfield diamond or off the right. He explained to his family how United saw him fit in and which aspects of his game they would assist him with.
Former England and United midfielder Michael Carrick worked with Bellingham to understand the psychological aspects of moving a family from the Midlands 100 miles north to Manchester. Going through Bellingham’s interviews, Carrick was struck by his football intelligence — he gave detailed, tactical answers rather than trot out cliches.
United wouldn’t include a guarantee of appearances in a contract offer as they felt that would have set a dangerous precedent. They put together a data-led presentation that included information about the youth who had moved from the academy to the senior setting. Marcus RashfordAnd Scott McTominayThe minutes that were given to United graduates was one of the highest in Europe.
However, not all the prepared food was actually used. Murtough led the tour and was the one who gave it. Industry sources feel United’s Carrington base is no longer enough by itself to lure top talents, especially when set against training grounds at other top Premier League clubs.
Sir Alex Ferguson was present to shake hands with the family but rather than an extended audience with United’s great manager, their meeting was only brief. Some at United felt Bellingham, despite being 17 years old, was worth more than the £30 million price Dortmund ultimately paid, and advocated for a bigger financial push to get an edge.
Former United captain and midfielder Bryan Robson, who is part of an advisory group at the club, said: “We thought we had him and he would have been a great signing for us. But he definitely has it in him to become a great player for England.”
According to agency sources, Bellingham and his family had been planning a move from England to Germany for a long time. Fellow England youngster Jadon SanchoDortmund was the place where he found happiness after he left Manchester City at the same time.
Dortmund’s presentation was also highly persuasive.
Bellingham celebrates scoring against Manchester City during the Champions League last Wednesday (Photo: Tim Goode/PA Images via Getty Images).
They promised Bellingham that they would fulfill their promise, and they have kept it. “They told me, ‘If you come here, we’ll develop you, you’ll get game time and you’ll be an international in two years’,” he said in an interview with the BBC.
He added: “Ideally you want to play for the club you support your whole life but you also want to reach the heights and fulfil your potential.”
Bellingham was 17 when he made the senior England debut against England. Republic of IrelandIn November 2020, he collected 15 caps. Otto Addo, a former Dortmund assistant manager summarized the speed of his growthHe told the story when he was The Athletic: “Jude’s incredibly mature for his age and quick to understand. He learns more in one game than he does in six. And he wants to learn, all the time.”
United feel his choice was not a negative towards them, but a pragmatic decision for his career, and that the recruitment department’s focus and dialogue with his family had at least put them in a two-horse race with Dortmund. They have continued to build their Bellingham files and their admiration for him has grown in his two years in Bundesliga.
Chelsea were also keen to sign him for Dortmund. He is a perfect fit for their new club. Todd Boehly modelIn terms of both talent and age. Chelsea needs a plan for midfield succession. N’Golo Kante(31) Jorginho(30) both are out of contract for next summer. However, they addressed that issue to a certain extent this summer by signing youngsters Carney Chukwuemeka18 and 19 years old Cesare Casadei.
Real Madrid may not have as much need for Bellingham due to the incredible impact of Tchouameni (22 years old) and 19-year-old Eduardo Camavinga. Federico Valverde is also their 24-year-old player. But Luka Modric, 37, can’t keep on defying the ageing process and the current European champions would certainly have the cash to compete with Premier League clubs for Bellingham.
Brexit is another consideration. La LigaOnly three non-EU players are allowed to play on the field according to regulations. Vinicius Junior, a Brazilian forward, has recently been granted Spanish citizenship.
Bellingham deserves the greatest compliment. He isn’t a specialist. In an age where we forensically examine a player’s profile to see what makes them stand out, he belies such categorisation into a single trait.
He is a good generalist. An all-rounder. A versatile young player who can operate anywhere in midfield — and perform near enough any action on the pitch.
After making the 2020-21 pre-season move to Dortmund, many people wondered if he could play in a double-pivot as a defensive middlefielder. It’s no problem. Do you prefer the left or right side? Yes. Are you able to move on into an attacking midfield position? You bet.
It’s testament to how crucial Bellingham has become for Dortmund that no player clocked up more game time than he did across all competitions for them last season. A total of 3,787 minutes across 44 appearances — all of them starts — is evidence enough that he has developed into the crucial player in their team.
Bellingham is still only 19 years old and plays with maturity beyond his years. No teenager has been trusted to play more minutes across Europe’s top five leagues since the start of last season, with him edging ahead of Arsenal’s Bukayo SakaShe turned 20 years old in the first season of last year.
Bellingham is a man with many intangible qualities that data cannot capture. He is a leader, mature, and composed, all qualities that are required to perform at the highest levels, where he already has lots of experience.
His display against City in the Champions League last week was his 18th appearance in the competition — the most by any English teenager. Bellingham is not a box to box midfielder, but he can simply move around the pitch with energy.
While he can do it, there are more nuanced aspects to his game. Looking at his touch map below across European competitions last season, you can see he would get involved in Dortmund’s build-up within central areas in his own half, but in attacking phases of play he would drift into half spaces or wide areas to receive the ball and support his full-back — depending on his role within the game.
While Bellingham did contribute eight assists in the Bundesliga last season, it would be crass to appraise his direct attacking numbers in any way — given his role in the Dortmund team. Instead, we could work back to break down his overall contribution to his team’s attacking play via his shot-creating actions.
Using data from StatsBomb via FBref.com, the shot-creating actions metric includes the two offensive actions made prior to a shot being taken — whether that be passes, dribbles, shots, or drawing fouls.
While Bellingham did, as stated, play more minutes than any of his team-mates last season, it is interesting to see the spread of actions that contributed to Dortmund’s attacks.
Bellingham doesn’t just play the pass to his teammate. He also commits other players by weaving dribbles into central areas. This creates space for teammates or draws fouls to launch another attack. Last season, his 3.3 attempts to dribble per 90 minutes was among the best five percent of all Bundesliga midfielders.
One trait that will be suited to the high-pressing style of the Premier League is Bellingham’s work off the ball. As you can see above, his defensive actions contribute well to his team’s attacking play, turning the ball over in dangerous areas high up the field. Klopp will find this to be a delight.
Here is an example of this from early in last month’s season-opening league game against Bayer LeverkusenJonathan Tah, centre-back for the team, recovers the ball in a congested area.
Bellingham is relentless in pressing that extra yard to get tight to Tah…
…before lunging in to nick to ball away, releasing team-mate Youssoufa Moukoko in the process.
As Moukoko turns, Bellingham has continued the press to push forward and provide a passing option — you can see him pointing to where Moukoko could drop the ball back to.
Instead, Moukoko flashes it across the box to Karim Adeyemi, whose shot is initially saved…
…before it is bundled in by Marco Reus for what turned out to be the winner.
You can see it in the six-yard area. A yellow shirt would have put in extra yards to investigate this threatening situation. Bellingham.
He will not be credited directly for his attacking numbers but his defensive intensity, off-ball running and offensive speed were crucial to this goal’s scoring.
Data similarly cannot capture a player’s technique — their appreciation of space, the way they receive or strike the ball.
Bellingham’s technical ability is evident even if you only glance at one video. He does the simple things well.
At just 19 years old, it’s scary that we need no more convincing of his quality.
Bellingham’s family have previously set up two companies which are registered in the UK, Belloball and Bello & Bello Limited. This summer, the latter submitted an application to have ‘Jude Bellingham’ trademarked. This would include everything, from clothing to smartphones and cosmetics.
They are all planning to return to England. These are huge commercial opportunities for a young player like him, who is articulate and has remarkable talent. He’s ambitious, he wants to win the biggest prizes and he is surely destined to grace the Premier League at some stage.
It’s still not clear when and where.
To be successful, you will need to have deep pockets and a compelling project such as the one that brought him from Dortmund.
(Additional reporting by Gregg Evans, Raphael Honigstein, Raphael Carey and Adam Crafton
(Top graphic — photo: Getty Images/design: Sam Richardson)
