Jude Bellingham : The rise and battle for the perfect modern midfielder, who can and always wants to do it all

The easiest path to success in world football is being trained in an elite Academy and graduating to be promoted to the first team, where you get the chance to prove yourself deserving of the chance given.

Some young players benefitted from the reputation of their Academy or leagues, which attracts scouts to come over on the lookout for the next breakthrough star. 

Several players have benefited from this over the years as well as presently, these players earn their club’s Academy a lot of plaudits while also giving them options on the field, one that might have cost a fortune to sign.

Ajax, Barcelona, Arsenal, Chelsea and Dortmund have been hailed for the talents that has been produced from their respective Academy and quite a number has been afforded the chance to go on an star for these clubs.

However, that was not the path of a certain Jude Bellingham and that is what makes his case much more interesting compared to the other exciting youngsters in world football today.

𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐦𝐚𝐤𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐨𝐟 𝐚 𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐫

From a 16-year old debutant at his boyhood club Birmingham City to the 19-year old he is, smashing it at the top level, Jude Bellingham has worked to earn his own chances.

Convincing, coupled with consistency, such was his show in his first season as a professional, one which earned him a lot of suitors, including Manchester United, who reportedly had a bid of £20 million turned down on the final day of the winter transfer window in 2020.

Bellingham was awarded with the Apprentice of the Year and Young Player of the year at the EFL end of the season award gala, capping off what was a remarkable debut season as a professional.

The talent had become too much to be kept by a Championship club hence the tussle for his signature by top teams. Borussia Dortmund won the race due to their reputation with young players and made him the most expensive 17-year old in a £25 million deal in the summer of 2020.

It will also be kind to know that Bellingham played his first season for Birmingham on a school boy contact so could have left the club for free before signing a first pro contract.

However, an agreement was reached between Birmingham, Bellingham and his entourage that the professional contract be prepared and signed by Bellingham, so a fee was negotiated with Dortmund over his signature.

The agreement also includes £7 million in add ons which was based on performance and it will be very unlikely that Birmingham have not received that payment by now because Bellingham has been magnificent for Dortmund.

His kind gesture (of signing a professional contract so the club can get a fee from his transfer) prompted Birmingham City to retire the No.22 shirt which he wore at the club following his departure.

In an official club statement, Birmingham City said: “In such a remarkably short space of time Jude has become an iconic figure at Blues, showing what can be achieved through talent, hard work and dedication.”

“His caring, humble and engaging off-the-field demeanour has also made him such an impressive role model.”

“The 22 shirt has become synonymous with Jude, his rise to the first team aged just 16 years and 38 days and these qualities.”

“And as such the club have decided it would be fitting to retire this number, to remember one of our own and to inspire others.”

The grass got greener for Bellingham in Germany though there has been downs as himself and his Dortmund teammates have been unable to dethrone Bayern Munich of the Bundesliga crown but this season could be theirs as the Bavarians continues to struggle domestically.

Following a successful first season in Germany, where he made a total of 46 appearances across all competitions, including ten in the Champions League as Dortmund reached the quarter finals, his effort was crowned with the DFB Pokal trophy thanks to a 4-1 win over RB Leipzig in the final, Bellingham was also voted Newcomer of the season by fellow players in the Bundesliga.

When he made his Champions League debut against Lazio on October 20, he became the youngest English player to play in the competition at the age of 17 and 113 days, beating the record of Phil Foden. Later that season, he became the second youngest player to score in a knockout stage of the competition.

Of late, he became the first English teenager to score in three consecutive Champions League seasons as well as highest scoring English teenager in the competition after his goal against Manchester City at the Ethiad taking his tally to four.

Bellingham finished second behind Barcelona and Spain's Pedri in the 2021 Kopa Trophy but with age still on his side, he might be set to pick-up the award later this year due to his blistering form both domestically and in Europe.

At the age of 19, he's already won 15 caps for the Three Lions following his debut in November 2020, when he became the third youngest player to represent England after Theo Walcott and Wayne Rooney.

𝐒𝐭𝐲𝐥𝐞 𝐨𝐟 𝐏𝐥𝐚𝐲

Jude Bellingham is that type of midfield player you can build a team around given his attributes which far exceeds that of almost any player of his age and that has made him the most sought after youngster even before his move to Borussia Dortmund in 2020.

With football ever-more emphasising the importance on athleticism in the middle of the park, his pressing, hectic work rate, dribbling, ball carrying, passing and positioning, Bellingham at just 19, will be a steal for any of the top teams looking to sort their midfield for the next 15 years or thereabout.

The midfielder, born in 2003 is the Steven Gerrard type of midfielder, albeit he also has other qualities that makes him the perfect modern midfielder, he is more close to the former England player that the other past elites.

Unlike Gerrard who was able to effectively deliver even when his team was being overwhelmed and completely outplayed by the opponents, Jude Bellingham is yet unable to do this but it is understandable given his young age.

Primarily a box to box midfielder, Bellingham can play anywhere across the midfield and whenever his team plays a 4231 formation, he well slots in on the left and right sides of attack and can also be deployed through the middle.

Unlike other midfielders that make late runnings into the box, Bellingham prefers to be the center of things and dictating the tempo. His position around the box at both ends of the pitch makes him reads the game better and thus improves his decision making.

Last season in the Bundesliga, where he started in all of his 32 appearances to help Dortmund to a second place finish, he was named in the VDV Bundesliga team of the season alongside teammate, Erling Haaland.

Bellingham finished the league season with three goals and eight assists, but that is just added bonus to what he really brought to the play for Marco Rose’s side.

Per game in the league, he average 1.18 key passes, 1.31 interceptions, 1.11 successful tackles. He made 19 defensive blocks and his heat map showed he made contribution everywhere in the field.

Jude Bellingham’s heat map, 2021/22 season.

Being recognized for work rate in a league like the Bundesliga is an incredible achievement. Time and again, Bellingham has been praised for his tenacity and he has been one of the key for Borussia Dortmund’s success in recent times.

Whether in helping the defence, performing his duties in the midfield or connecting with the attack, Bellingham is very proficient as well as efficient.

Borussia Dortmund have made him the engine of the team and such was his responsibility when he was at Birmingham City. His infield maturity has made him arguably Dortmund’s best player since the departure of Erling Haaland in the summer.

Even before then, it was Bellingham who shadowed the responsibility of most of the playmaking leading to shot creating actions. His energy to make runs with the ball and make things happen in the final third is another of his many attributes.

Last season in the Bundesliga, he was the most fouled player on an outrageous 91 times, due to his abilities to make things happen, he has become on of the stars of the game, one opponents always keep their eyes on either on or off the ball.

This season, he has already completed 21 dribbles which is the most in the Bundesliga and ranks third in Europe top five leagues just behind Lionel Messi and Azzedine Ounahi.

His desire to be everywhere could be positive or negative impact on his thriving but that would be well managed by the more elite teams to have him doing what he does best when he finally get his inevitable big move in the coming summer.

𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐧𝐞𝐱𝐭 𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐩 - 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐁𝐢𝐠 𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐩

Last summer was considered too early to leave Dortmund as he was only 19 and still progressing in his development, especially after Dortmund lost Erling Haaland to Manchester City, there was no chance they'll let Bellingham through the exit door.

However, next summer is most likely to be his time and top teams like Real Madrid, Liverpool Chelsea and long-term suitors, Manchester United are expected to do battle for his signature.

The next stop will be very decisive in the career of the youngster so it is very significant for his to access the teams and choose the one best suited for his own play.

Luckily for him, all the four are top teams and actively investing, which in turn makes them continuously competing for the top titles. The will help Bellingham gain more recognition for his talent as he will get to play more consistently on the bigger stages.

Accessing his prospective destination and how well he will be suited for their plan, with reports also suggesting Borussia Dortmund will demand around £150 million from prospective buyers.

𝐋𝐢𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐩𝐨𝐨𝐥

Presently, Liverpool alongside Chelsea appear the teams mostly in need of the services of Bellingham. Liverpool are shot in options in that department having lost out on the signing of their main midfield target last summer, Aurélien Tchouameni.

The club has struggled this season as injuries has affected most of their options while most are not as effective as they used to be.

Jordan Henderson is 32 and has received a lot of criticism for his substandard performances and the addition of a younger and obviously a better player in Bellingham.

All of Liverpool’s first main midfielders except Fabinho are in their 30s and Bellingham will be a fresh breath of life into the midst and will also suffice them for more than a decade.

He is that kind of player built for the Jürgen Klopp's Gengenpressing style with his attributes and even the German tactician will relish working with the young sensation.

𝐂𝐡𝐞𝐥𝐬𝐞𝐚

After Liverpool comes Chelsea. Just like the Reds, Chelsea's midfield is about to go on a overhaul with N'Golo Kante aging and Jorginho becoming unreliable.

Bellingham will be perfect fit for the club and even though the future of the Chelsea is still to be known, a player of Bellingham's profile will be a good option moving on from the current set.

𝐑𝐞𝐚𝐥 𝐌𝐚𝐝𝐫𝐢𝐝

When Los Blancos comes calling, it is difficult for any player to say no. The old and new generation of midfielders are currently having a time of their life in the Spanish capital and an offer might be too tempting to resist.

Aurélien Tchouameni, Fede Valverde, Edouardo Camavinga are currently on the books at the club with the duo of Luka Modric and Toni Kroos approaching the later stages of their respective careers, Bellingham could be next to make the switch to the Bernabéu.

He will do a great deal to make up for Modric when the Croatian finally departs but just like Martin Ødegaard, will a player already used to playing regularly be contend with second option if Modric will still remain with the club beyond the next summer ?

Real Madrid will most likely be the best option for him if he can decide what to do and the club wants him next summer at the right terms, which favours the player’s development in particular.

𝐌𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐡𝐞𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝐔𝐧𝐢𝐭𝐞𝐝

Long-term admirer of the young sensation, United look to have moved on this summer with the addition of Casemiro and Christian Eriksen but with age not on the side of the two, Bellingham might in the end be destined to become a Red Devil.

These clubs have what it takes to help maximize the potentials of youngster and having been regarded as favourites for his signature, it couldn't get any better for Bellingham.

It remains to be seen which club will land the midfielder in the summer but amongst the shortlisted clubs, Real Madrid look better for him if the agreement includes he will become a regular from the onset.

Aurélien Tchouameni is an example of the influence Los Blancos have on youngsters if needed at the club and alongside the likes of Vinicius Junior, Rodrygo Goes, Aurélien Tchouameni, Edouardo Camavinga and Federico Valverde, the next few years could see them all become the main names at the club.

Which club do you feel will be best suitable for Jude Bellingham ? You can leave your answer, amongst other comments below...

Author: Kehinde Hassan Afolabi