England head into Saturday’s World Cup quarter-final with France with a sense of trepidation. Kylian Mbappe is in top form ahead of the game and is a favourite for the Golden Boot. However, all is not lost for Gareth Southgate’s side. In Jude Bellingham, they have one of the players of the tournament. The 19-year-old has wowed fans and pundits alike with his all-round contributions from midfield.
The Bellingham-to-Liverpool transfer saga has stepped up since the England team arrived in Doha, with Jordan Henderson and Jude getting up close and personal after the Hendo opened the scoring against Senegal. Over in Germany, Sport Bild’s Christian Falk has this week described the Reds as ‘favourites’ to land the Dortmund star.
On the latest episode of our Journo Insight Show, we asked goal.com’s Neil Jones for the latest on the Bellingham transfer.
Neil said:
“I’m blaming Jordan Henderson for all of this! The celebration and then the reaction to it. I think it’s all very positive, that’s the first thing to say. I don’t think there’s anything out of the Liverpool end at this moment, understandably so. They’re not going to go and shout it from the rooftops. The positive thing from it all is the fact that the family, or people around Jude Bellingham see Liverpool as the best option.
Liverpool probably shouldn’t have got Van Dijk when they did, they were probably down the list of the ideal clubs for him at that moment in time. If he had gone to city, he’s guaranteed Premier League trophies. He was sold on the story and the dream, the history and the feel of the club. And the manager! The hope is that Bellingham is the same. He’s got his pick of whichever club he wants to go to, let’s be honest. If he turns around tomorrow and says, ‘No, I want to go to Man City,’ no-one would bat an eyelid. That’s up to him. The same with Real Madrid. The hope has always been that Liverpool’s pitch is the most convincing and that they have got the money to execute it. Let’s hope they have!”
Redmen Reacts
The tension is mounting! If Liverpool fail to sign Bellingham after this protracted build-up, the disappointment will be greater than the failed chases for Alex Teixeira, Willian, Yevhen Konoplyanka and Mo Salah* combined. There are still many questions to answer about Liverpool’s ownership and director of football, but perhaps this signing could be the ultimate leaving present from FSG and Julian Ward? Despite the initial outlay, signing one of the world’s most coveted youngsters could be in FSG’s favour as it proves the club has pull on the international stage, confirming their place amongst the world elite and pushing the value of their asset. Another man-of-the-match performance in the World Cup quarter-final will see Dortmund licking their lips and adding even more value to the transfer. Fingers crossed!
*first time round!
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