Manchester City playmaker Jack Grealish has hailed Jude Bellingham after another stellar performance in an England shirt.
The 18-year-old midfielder won the plaudits of many after helping the Three Lions to a 3-0 friendly win over 10-man Ivory Coast on Tuesday. He was awarded a penalty shortly after half-time when he was deemed to have been taken down illegally inside the area, but VAR overturned the decision moments later.
Bellingham displayed why the likes of Manchester United have registered an interest in him, with some wonderful pieces of play in the centre of the park. This was recognised by City attacker Grealish who praised his “technical ability” and admitted the Borussia Dortmund youngster is progressing faster than he did at his age.
When asked if he’s ever played with a teenager with as much talent as Bellingham possesses, he replied: “I haven't actually.” He continued: “It is scary how good he is at 18.
"He is just so mature. He is built like he is my age at 26. He has so much technical ability and he is mature for his age.
“I can tell you one thing, I was nowhere near as good at 18. I was at Notts County (on loan from Aston Villa) and I was a scrawny little thing as well.”
Grealish told of how he enjoyed playing with Bellingham, hailing his adaptability as a midfielder. “You see talented 18 or 19-year-old kids but not many are that mature as he is on the pitch,” he added.
“He is so versatile and can play in many different positions on the pitch. He can be a six, eight or a 10.
"It was good to play with him and I think it was my first time playing with him. It is nice to play with a fellow Brummie.”
Amid the speculation surrounding a potential move to Old Trafford, England boss Gareth Southgate hinted that a Premier League return may benefit Bellingham.
He said: "The (Bundesliga) is definitely a brilliant league for young players and coaches to develop but of course the standard of the Premier League is undoubtedly higher. I think we see that in the European competitions.
"Our top teams are going to be right at the end of the Champions League every year.” Dortmund crashed out of the Champions League at the group stage this season before being shocked by Rangers in the Europa League Last 16.
United are searching for a central midfielder ahead of the transfer window with the likes of Paul Pogba set to leave this summer.
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