Steven Gerrard tells Jude Bellingham that ‘he’s in a fantastic place and needs to keep playing well’
Steven Gerrard claims Jude Bellingham is ‘further along’ than when he was at the same age and insists the Dortmund star is ‘more confident on the ball’ after he starred in England’s win over Ukraine
- Bellingham was on fine form as England beat Ukraine 2-0 at Wembley
- Gerrard heaped praise on the youngster, comparing Bellingham to himself
- The 19-year-old returned the favour, admitting he looks up to Gerrard
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Jude Bellingham and Steven Gerrard exchanged compliments after England’s 2-0 victory over Ukraine at Wembley saw Gareth Southgate‘s men win consecutive UEFA Euro 2024 qualifying matches.
The Three Lions won the game 2-0 and Bellingham was once again crucial in the midfield for Southgate’s side.
Gerrard, who was on punditry duty for Channel 4, heaped praise on the 19-year-old and made a comparison between his younger self and Bellingham.
‘Well, for one he has a better body at 19,’ Gerrard joked.
‘I never had that power until 22 or 23, he’s more physically developed. He’s more confident on the ball. I’m not just being modest. He’s further on than where I was at the same age.
Steven Gerrard told Jude Bellingham that he ‘needs to keep playing well’ after England’s win
Bellingham impressed in front of a huge Wembley crowd as England beat Ukraine on Sunday
‘He’s in a fantastic place and he needs to keep playing well, keep playing well.’
Bellingham replied to the former Liverpool skipper, admitting that he looks up to him before revealing that he still has ‘so much’ to learn.
The Borussia Dortmund star said: ‘The things Stevie could do, the way he could carry a team – I’ve said it multiple times, I follow your game.
‘I think there is so much I have got to learn. The way I want to be is win the game at both ends, as a 6, 8 and 10. I want to create chances and do a bit of everything.
‘You have the best chance with the guys in that (England) changing room, I am like a sponge at the moment.’
Bellingham admitted that he has aspirations to be named England captain in the future
Bellingham continued to discuss the ambitions of the England squad, revealing that they expect to win every game that they play, having already beaten both Italy and Ukraine in Group C of Euro 2024 qualifying.
‘We should be looking at the group thinking we want to win every game,’ he continued. ‘You set standards and expectations that you match. We now need to carry that on so we get to go to the big tournaments.
‘I’m loving it at the minute. It shows on the pitch, we all get the ball and we want to express ourselves. But there’s a streak of nastiness as well that we all show, Dec (Declan Rice), Hendo (Jordan Henderson) etc.’
The 19-year-old concluded by discussing his personal goal to follow in Gerrard’s footsteps and become England captain in the future.
‘That would be the biggest dream,’ he said. ‘It’s the biggest honour in your career.
‘Obviously there’s a long pecking order, I will wait my turn. But in the meantime it’s about picking up what I can from them. I’m just trying to learn all the time, and this is the best place to do it.’
Liverpool fans will be hoping that Gerrard can convince the youngster to make a move to Anfield in the summer transfer window, as Sportsmail revealed that he remains Jurgen Klopp’s priority target.
However, Manchester City are also believed to be ‘growing confident’ of signing Bellingham this year as Real Madrid are also in the race for the England midfielder.
