The Liverpool target got Declan Rice jaw-dropped and mind blown after his performances in the Nations League
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| Declan rice has been left stunned by Jude Bellingham after his Nations League performances against Germany and Italy |
England midfielder Declan Rice believes Jude Bellingham is "the future of English football" amid speculation he could move to Liverpool.
Bellingham impressed again in the England shirt on the recent international break, joining Rice against Italy and Germany in the clearest sign yet that Gareth Southgate has Locked this position for the World Cup. The 19-year-old fought back for a 2-0 lead on Monday night, moving the ball forward with another full-blown display.
Such appearances are likely to be repeated in Qatar later this year and will only increase interest across the continent in the teenager, who Jurgen Klopp will no doubt keep a close eye on.
Praise has been high for the Dortmund midfielder over the past week, with England's boss Southgate describing his "top mentality" as his finest quality as a young man.
Now his midfield partner and England's favourite, Rice, went a step further and predicted him as "the future of English football". The West Ham man has seen his fair share of top young players join the England squad including Phil Foden, Bukayo Saka and Mason Mount - but says he hasn't seen anyone Reach Bellingham's level before reaching the age of 20.
“I don't think I've seen anyone as good as he is for 19,” Rice told the Mirror . “I look at a lot of 19 year-olds, whether it's at a club, around the world, around the country. To have the whole package is a hard thing … and I feel like he's got that.
“He's 19 but he's got the body of a 28-year-old - he's a man. He thinks like a man, plays like a man and shows personality and character. I've been around and played so many more games than he has in my career but you can just tell as a 19-year-old what he brings to the team already, the energy he's got. He can play in a holding role, he can play as an eight, he can play as a 10.
“He's a man - you can see it when he plays for Dortmund. As a 19-year-old, you're normally scared to talk to the referee but he's in the referee's face demanding answers, demanding decisions and he leaves himself on the pitch constantly. He really pushes you on the pitch. We push each other on and it's a privilege to play next to him.
“Hopefully, he keeps flourishing. He's the future of English football to come for the next 15 years.”