Steven Gerrard has claimed that Jude Bellingham is ahead of where he was at the age of 19, after the Borussia Dortmund midfielder starred for England at Wembley on Sunday.
Gareth Southgate's team have got their EURO 2024 qualifying campaign off to the best possible start, with a win against Italy on Thursday followed up by victory over Ukraine this evening.
Teenager Bellingham played a significant role in England's midfield during both matches, with the Three Lions boss seemingly building his engine room around the youngster, who has consistently been linked with a move to Liverpool in the summer.
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Bellingham can count former Liverpool captain Gerrard amongst his enthusiasts and the pair indulged in an insightful interview after the 2-0 victory at Wembley on Sunday evening.
Speaking to Bellingham about his development pitch side after the match, on Channel 4, Gerrard asked: "How much do you think you’ve got to go? You look like you’re in a fantastic place, you’re loving your football, you’re playing with some really good, experienced players, how far do you think you can go? Because you’ve blown everyone away with your performances, a lot of talk about you but you’re backing it up with performances. Do you still think you can get better and better?"
A flattered Bellingham responded: "Yeah, and thank you. There’s definitely so much I’ve got to learn, the way I want to be as a midfielder is someone that can win you the game at two ends of the pitch, you know, in the middle to dominate the game as a six, as an eight, and as a 10 create chances as well. I’ve always wanted to be someone that can do a bit of everything, I think I’ve still got so much to learn but you have the best chance with the guys in that changing room there and the one I’ve got at Dortmund. I’m like a sponge, to be honest with you, I just want to take anything in, any chance I get to learn about the game."
The teenager is currently enjoying being deployed in an attacking midfield role behind Harry Kane, while Declan Rice and Jordan Henderson keep the engine room ticking over behind him. It is something that Bellingham is relishing.
He said: "At Dortmund a lot of it I’m probably involved in the build-up a lot more, I enjoy that as well but it means I can’t be as creative in the top third. Maybe I’m missing out on a few attacks here and there, I always get a sense for where the ball is gonna land and I feel like today I could have done a little bit better, to be honest. The ball got in some good positions and I felt like I was a yard or two away from where I needed to be, but it’s all experience and learning. You know, where the ball’s gonna drop and what teammates I’m playing with, where they’re gonna put the ball, so when I’m playing I’m probably thinking about a million different things of where I can be better."
Gerrard reassured him: "Just keep doing what you’re doing, you’re doing great."
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Bellingham sees Gerrard as a role model for his own career and was only to happy to point out that fact in his presence, even if it meant embarrassing him a little live on air.
Bellingham said: "The things that Stevie could do in terms of the teams he played in, the way he could carry a team, the way he could kind of single-handedly win a game, he could do everything as a midfielder. I’ve definitely said it multiple times I’ve looked up to you so it’s a pleasure to be stood here."
Gerrard responded: "Listen, let me tell you right now, you’re a lot further ahead than I was at your age, so you’re going in the right direction," before going on to explain his own reasoning.
"Well, for one he’s got a better body than what I had at 19, no seriously, I probably never had that power and that strength until probably 22 or 23, so he’s definitely more physically developed than me. He’s more confident than me on the ball in terms of what he’ll try, and I’m not just saying that just being modest, I’m saying that as it’s the truth - I think he’s further on than what I was at 19.
"Don’t get me wrong, I got to where I wanted to get to and he’ll naturally get to where he wants to if he keeps on doing what he’s doing, but he’s in a fantastic place and everything else around him he just needs to park it up and keep playing well and everything else will take care of itself."
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