Nigel de Jong has stated that he is ‘jealous’ that England have a player like Liverpool transfer target Jude Bellingham, as he told ITV Sport.
As many quickly point out with the 19-year-old midfielder, those young shoulders are broad and more mature than your average teenager.
At that age, many are still in education trying to find a path to a full-time job, but Jude Bellingham is running the midfield on football’s biggest stage.
For England’s opening Group B game at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, they thrashed Iran 6-2, with Bellingham opening the scoring and de Jong stating that he is ‘the hottest prospect’ at the winter tournament.
“Can we talk about how mature this boy already is at the age of 19,” said de Jong. “Like he is a fantastic prospect. I am very jealous that England have a player like that.
“I would prefer him to go to Bayern Munich because that’s the extra step in the development of a player. No disrespect to Dortmund.
When I look at the personality Jude Bellingham already has at the age of 19. He has, by far, a better head on his shoulders. The cleverness and intelligence that he is. I think he is the hottest prospect at the World Cup.”
BELLINGHAM AT THE WORLD CUP
After reaching the final of Euro 2020, in which Bellingham played a backup role, he is now a firm starter at the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar.
Gareth Southgate will want to go one better this time, and if his team are to do that, then the big names have to step up and showcase their true worth.
Someone like Harry Kane is the obvious one, or the multiple Premier League winner Raheem Sterling, but Bellingham can also add his name to that list.
If he does that, then those teams that seemingly want to sign him, including Liverpool, might find that the price tag on his head hits ridiculous numbers.
