Where will Jude Bellingham play next year is the question on the lips of every soccer fan across the world right now. The 19-year-old sits almost in a section of his own as one of the hottest young talents on the planet.
Bellingham debuted for Birmingham City at just age 16, and by the time he left a year later, they retired his jersey number, an uncommon accomplishment in soccer let alone for a teenager. The English teenager was being touted as one to watch as moved to Borussia Dortmund.
Dortmund have built a reputation over the years of giving minutes to younger talents and selling them on a few years later for massive profits. When he joined the ‘Black and Yellow’, he immediately found himself playing alongside other young talents like Jadon Sancho and Erling Halaand. Along with the youth, he has also been lucky enough to play on the pitch next to Marco Reus and Mats Hummels, just to name a few of the experienced players he has to learn from.
Bellingham has already played an astounding 124 games for Dortmund before his 20th birthday, and has 24 senior England caps to his name already. With teams lining up for his signature, Dortmund are looking for somewhere between 120-150 million dollars for his services.
There are only a handful of clubs who could truly afford him, and even fewer who may actually break the bank to sign the Englishman.
The current Premier League holders are one of the leading teams to get Bellingham’s signature in the near future. Almost unmatched financially, and most of the time on the field as well, their eyes are set on England’s next big thing.
If they want to keep hold of Erling Haaland as long as they can, Man City are going to have to make more big-name signings, and a former friend definitely wouldn’t hurt.
The blue side of Manchester is in an unpleasant spot at the moment, in danger of losing the Premier League title to Arsenal, with a tough Champions League semi-final on the horizon. Bellingham could be another ‘franchise’ player alongside Haaland, and replicate their form together at Dortmund on a much bigger stage.
New Chelsea owner Todd Boehly seems set on a one-man mission to lock down any and every talented youngster for whatever the asking price may be. For months now rumors have put Bellingham atop Chelsea’s wishlist for the summer
With an aging Kante still returning from injury, and no one else in the middle of the park who can really change a game on their own, the Dortmund midfielder would actually be a practical signing.
Despite the good fit both on the field and with Chelsea’s new business model, it may not be his best option. The London side currently sit 10th in the Premier League table, making Champions League soccer look unattainable at this point in the season. While Bellingham would be a massive boost to the squad, he may have his sights set a little higher.
Historically Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp has spoken about his dislike for massive transfer fees, but if he keeps his job this summer Bellingham is sure to be one of his top targets.
Over the last few years, the Merseyside team has strengthened well in the offense and defense, namely Darwin Nunez, Cody Gakpo, and Ibrahim Konate. Unfortunately, this is starting to leave a hole in their midfield.
Jordan Henderson and James Milner are aging out of the squad, Thiago is constantly struggling with injuries, and aside from Harvey Elliot no one is stepping up and taking on a bigger role. Bellingham would slot neatly into Klopp’s side and provide a real level of stability that could bring another Premier League title home for Liverpool.
Similarly to Chelsea however, Liverpool find themselves in 6th place in the league table and may also miss out on Champions League soccer next season. They are probably in a better position than Chelsea are to climb out of the hole they’ve dug themselves, but still Bellingham may turn the other way.
His only real option at the moment outside of a return to England is to join one of the world’s most decorated teams, and European royalty in Real Madrid.
With Kylian Mbappe deciding to stay in Paris for the moment and Haaland signing for Manchester, ‘Los Blancos’ seem to have set their sights on Bellingham as their next big signing.
As Toni Kroos and Luka Modric grow older and are expected to leave Madrid in the coming seasons, the Spanish club have already done well to prepare for their departure. Eduardo Camavinga and Aurelien Tchouameni have both signed in the last two years to link up with emerging superstar Fede Valverde.
With the Englishman being the final piece of the puzzle, both he and the rest of the Madrid squad could potentially be looking forward to many years of massive success.
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