As Liverpool target Jude Bellingham shone in his first-ever World Cup game as England thrashed Iran 6-2, Rio Ferdinand went as far as to say that he is better than some of the country’s greatest ever midfielders such as Steven Gerrard, Frank Lampard, Paul Scholes and Paul Gascoigne were at his age.
The 19-year-old fired the Three Lions into a lead in the 35th minute by scoring an incredible header to first make his mark on football’s grandest stage.
If that wasn’t enough, the £130 million-rated starlet (SPORT) beat two defenders to play in Harry Kane who eventually set up Raheem Sterling’s strike.
As Jack Grealish scored his side’s 6th and final goal, the pre-assist came courtesy of a sublime pass by none other than the Borussia Dortmund talisman himself.
Ferdinand heaps Bellingham with high praise
Considering Fabrizio Romano even said on his YouTube channel that the Reds have an “obsession” with signing the wonderkid, it is no surprise that one of the most sought-after young players’ performance has become such a talking point.
So much so that Rio Ferdinand was unafraid to state that Jude Bellingham is superior than some of the nation’s best-ever midfielders were at his age, as per his official YouTube channel.
We’ve had great midfielders play for England in our generation down the years. The [Paul] Scholes’, the [Steven] Gerrard’s, the [Frank] Lampard’s, to name three. [Paul] Gascoigne etc.”
Ferdinand continued, “None of those guys, I’m going to look in the camera were doing what Jude Bellingham is doing at this age on the world stage. None of them.”
“This kid’s [Jude Bellingham] playing Champions League football, he’s doing everything. I’m not saying he’s going to be better than them. But right now, at this age, he’s doing what none of them have done. He’s ahead.”
Rio Ferdinand’s comments about Jude Bellingham being better than greats like Steven Gerrard and Frank Lampard were at his age exemplifies how much of a generational talent England have on their hands.
