Rio Ferdinand believes Jude Bellingham would improve 'every team in the world' as the teenager continues to impress Europe's top sides.
The 19-year-old has been outstanding for Borussia Dortmund this season, particularly in the Champions League where he has four goals in five appearances. The absence of Marco Reus and Mats Hummels at points this campaign has seen the teenager captain his side on occasion.
Such performances on the European stage have rightly garnered praise among the most respected names in football, with Pep Guardiola - whose Manchester City drew 0-0 at Dortmund last night - describing him as 'something special'.
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And speaking before kick-off in Dortmund, former Manchester United defender Ferdinand detailed how his mentality would improve any potential suitors.
"I think he improves every team in the world, he’s that good," Ferdinand told BT Sport. "For young players aspiring to become footballers, you’ve got to understand that your attitude and mentality play such a big part of that. He just runs into space, you don’t just walk into games and things just happen.
"There’s a process to go through and that comes from mindset, mentality, dedication and talent but the mentality and mindset are huge.
"19 years old in Champions League football, how many of us were being talked about ‘oh we’ll give him the armband’? There’s a queue that’d go out the dressing room before we’d get it and you’re talking about the best of our generation, the Steven Gerrard’s, Frank Lampard’s, Wayne Rooney’s they weren’t in the Champions League at 19.
"This kid, we’ll give him it and there’s no qualms about it, not a question because we know he’s ready."
Bellingham is already set to be the major talking point in next summer's transfer window, with the teenager attracting interest from the continent's elite - including Liverpool. And fellow ex-England international Owen Hargreaves has admitted he has been 'blown away' by the midfielder, echoing Ferdinand's claim that he could walk into any side.
"For 19 years old, the kids amazing," Hargreaves added. "I remember seeing him for the first time and just being blown away. We saw him in lockdown at the Etihad, his attitude, at his age, is just frightening.
"What he’s been able to achieve is out of this world, he’s going to outgrow Dortmund - with the greatest respect in the world to them. Everybody is going to want him, he walks into Barcelona, Real Madrid, everyone."
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