JUDE BELLINGHAM says it was a “no brainer” for him to join Real Madrid over Wednesday’s opponents Manchester City.
The treble winners were one of a host of clubs chasing the signature of the England star when it was clear he was leaving Borussia Dortmund last spring.
He admitted he spoke with several teams – but could not resist the lure of the Spanish giants when they came calling.
City became aware in May that the former Birmingham midfielder had set his heart on a switch to the Bernabeu rather than the Premier League.
The £88.5million signing said: “I had conversations with other teams but when Madrid came in it was a no-brainer really.
“The size of the club, the project, the plan going forward, the chance to play with such amazing players.
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“I just jumped at it. That’s why I made my decision.”
Now he hopes to show he made the right call by sending Pep Guardiola’s holders tumbling out of the Champions League at the Etihad.
The quarter-final tie is finely poised at 3-3 after a thriller in Spain last week.
He said: “I think everyone has spoken about them being favourites – they’re the treble winners and an amazing team.
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“I’m not a gambler – and I’ve never been to the bookies.
“But that’s the impression from the outside. We are Real Madrid – we are pretty good and have some brilliant players.
“Internally we are confident and we trust what we have in the dressing room.
“These are the sort of games I joined for. I’m really excited and can’t wait to get out there and play.”
Almost a year has passed and Bellingham says he has no regrets over his decision – hoping England will reap the benefits.
He also hopes other young talents will follow his path and try their luck abroad.
Bellingham said: “I was at Dortmund for three years and I took a path that is unfamiliar but I feel grateful every time I go into training.
“It’s a good idea for young players to go abroad and hopefully I’m showing that.
“You learn a lot and hopefully I take that with me into the national team.”
Bellingham made an explosive start to life in Spain and while the goals have dried up he hopes there are still more to come.
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He said: “I didn’t expect to score this many goals. People were asking me when I joined and I just wanted one – but I’m up to 20 now.
“Hopefully I can get more before the end of the season.”
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
