JUDE BELLINGHAM will handle sky-rocketing expectations about his blossoming talent — just like Mason Greenwood and Phil Foden.
Bellingham only turned 17 in June but has been fast-tracked to the England Under-21s following his stunning season with Birmingham and subsequent move to Borussia Dortmund.
Jude Bellingham is in line for his England U21s debut this weekCredit: Rex Features
The midfielder could follow in the footsteps of Phil Foden (centre) and Mason Greenwood (right)Credit: Rex Features
Many will be wondering just how long it will be until the midfielder is promoted to Three Lions senior squad — as Foden, 20, and Greenwood, 18, have this month.
No matter how long the wait, Young Lions boss Aidy Boothroyd is sure Bellingham will not let his meteoric rise go to his head.
Asked if there is a danger in building the whizkid up, Boothroyd said: “I don’t think he’ll worry about that.
“I think he’s very level-headed, as Phil and Mason are. That’s why they are where they are.
“They know what they’ve got to do to be better, they’re very grateful for the support they get from everybody, from family, team-mates, clubs, international managers.
“I do think a trait of successful people is humility. He’s got it in abundance, I would say.”
Jude has got a long way to go before the senior team. I think he’s in exactly the right place right now.
Aidy Boothroyd
Should Bellingham feature in Kosovo on Friday night or Austria on Tuesday, he will become the youngest player to represent England’s Under-21s.
Theo Walcott was 17 years, five months and 21 days old, followed by Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain who was three days older when he made his debut.
Bellingham would beat that record by more than three months.
Boothroyd added: “He’s a really open, polite, genuine person. He opened up very quickly.
Aidy Boothroyd is casting his eye over England’s latest teen talentCredit: PA:Press Association
“When we got on the pitch, you couldn’t tell he wasn’t an Under-21 player.
“The age of the senior team has got lower and to the point where we’re talking about a 17-year-old for the senior team.
“Jude has got a long way to go before that. I think he’s in exactly the right place right now.”
Borussia Dortmund players in tears laughing at Jude Bellingham’s awful singing for initiation to new club
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
