Dietmar Hamann has warned his former club Liverpool that their transfer target Jude Bellingham "lacks discipline" at Borussia Dortmund.
The Reds have been credited with an interest in Bellingham on a number of occasions in the past, with Jurgen Klopp a self-confessed admirer of the midfield ace. Premier League rivals Manchester City and Manchester United are also admirers.
Despite English interest, it is Real Madrid who have emerged as the frontrunner for the signature of the teenage star and the Spanish giants went so far as to hold a transfer meeting with Bellingham’s father Mark in London ahead of Dortmund’s Champions League clash at Chelsea last month.
However, Klopp is still believed to be hopeful of Liverpool trumping rival bidders for the player. The Reds boss previously said of Bellingham, in a cheeky way to praise the midfielder: “He’s not on the market, so that’s the first problem with that player. Well, the only problem with that player!”
Yet Klopp’s assessment of Bellingham – that he has no flaws in his game – has been contradicted by former Reds midfielder Hamann, who has suggested that the midfielder’s lack of positional discipline has cost Dortmund this season and would be exposed further after any big money transfer.
“I'm not too sure about Bellingham, he's an incredibly talented player with extraordinary abilities. The only thing he doesn't have is discipline,” Hamann told Sky Germany. "If you look at the goals that Dortmund have conceded in recent weeks and months, I can tell you that in five or six in which he played a key role."
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Hamann added: “If you want to go to a top club like Real Madrid or Liverpool, you have to play differently. At Dortmund, you can do whatever you want. No one dares to say anything because they are afraid to disturb you.
“I would be careful if I am Real Madrid, Liverpool or Manchester City. Of course, he is an exceptional player who is still very young, but little by little he has to incorporate discipline into his game."
Yet despite reservations from Hamann, Madrid and Liverpool will be among the top clubs in Europe queuing up to attempt to persuade Bellingham to sign this summer – when he is expected to leave the Bundesliga after three years.
Speaking in December, when Liverpool's need for reinforcements in midfield had become clear, Klopp purred over the teenage star: "Bellingham is just exceptional. He plays so maturely, like a 28-year-old. Everybody already knew his skills, but I have no idea what that means for the money side of it. He’s very good, exceptional. He had an incredible World Cup."
