JUDE BELLINGHAM has been tipped to star for England at next summer’s Euros — just like a teenage Wayne Rooney did 16 years ago.
Birmingham sensation Bellingham became the world’s most expensive 17-year-old when he sealed his £30million move to Borussia Dortmund on Monday.
Birmingham wonderkid Jude Bellingham will play for Borussia Dortmund next seasonCredit: Getty Images – Getty
Wayne Rooney, then 18, took Euro 2004 by storm and was named in the team of the tournamentCredit: Getty Images – Getty
Tonight he makes his farewell appearance for Brum, desperately hoping to help secure their Championship future as his parting gift.
Standing in his way will be Derby’s veteran midfielder Rooney, who Bellingham will lock horns with for the first time in his fledgling career.
The significance of the clash has not been lost on the Blues caretaker-boss, Steve Spooner, who nurtured the Stourbridge kid during his formative years in the academy.
Spooner, 59, said: “The thought of Jude playing in a major tournament for England in a year is a distinct possibility.
“His talent is limitless. A more focused boy you couldn’t get. He can achieve whatever he wants.
“He has wonderful potential for this country going into major championships.
“If it goes well for him with Dortmund in Germany, we have the Euros and World Cup coming up.
“We have all seen what has happened with Jadon Sancho, who has gone on to represent England at the highest level.
“Every challenge he ever came up against, he has risen to. So playing in a major tournament for England in a year’s time is a real possibility while he progresses at his current rate.”
Steve Spooner helped mould Jude Bellingham in the Birmingham youth ranksCredit: Rex Features
Derby player-coach Rooney, now 34, is coming to the end of his illustrious careerCredit: PA:Press Association
Derby player-coach Rooney, 34, knows better than anyone what is required to make that massive step after he scored four goals in four games at Euro 2004.
Despite England losing on penalties to Portugal in the quarter-finals, the 18-year-old Roo was named in Uefa’s Team of the Tournament.
Spooner said: “From what I’ve read about Rooney, they both share a comic strip-style love of football — they are straight from those football annuals we used to read when we were kids.
“Billy’s Boots and all that… they just seem to love football, that’s the first thing.
“Technically, they share a tremendous range of passing, a change of pace to go past people, superb balance and the ability to play off either foot.
“Both have also handled so much pressure at an early age.”
Bellingham will play his final match for Blues against Rooney and CoCredit: PA:Empics Sport
Although Borussia Dortmund beat Manchester United to England’s outstanding teenage talent, Spooner admitted Bellingham could have played for any club in Europe.
Spooner added: “There was a plethora of the very best clubs in Europe coming to our training ground to watch him.
“We were used to Manchester United, Chelsea, Arsenal and Man City but it wasn’t so usual to have Bayern Munich, Dortmund, Ajax and Juventus joining them.”
Perry Groves says ‘hats off’ to Jude Bellingham after 17-year-old seals £23m move to Borussia Dortmund from Birmingham City
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
