‘He’ll keeps flourishing for the next 15 years’ – Declan Rice reveals why 150m Chelsea top target is a baller
Declan Rice, the captain of West Ham, has praised Jude Bellingham as the star of English football’s future as speculation about his whereabouts grows louder.
During the most recent international break, Bellingham continued to shine for England, starting alon side Rice against Italy and Germany.
In a spectacular display for the Three Lions, the 19-year-old controlled the midfield and assisted the home team in overcoming a 2-0 deficit to earn a 3-3 draw at Wembley.
Bellingham has received acclaim for his efforts from Gareth Southgate and some of his teammates, with Rice being the most recent to do so.
Rice told the Mirror: “I don’t think I’ve seen anyone as good as he is for 19. I look at a lot of 19 year-olds, whether it’s at a club, around the world, around the country. To have the whole package is a hard thing … and I feel like he’s got that.
“He’s 19 but he’s got the body of a 28-year-old – he’s a man. He thinks like a man, plays like a man and shows personality and character. I’ve been around and played so many more games than he has in my career but you can just tell as a 19-year-old what he brings to the team already, the energy he’s got. He can play in a holding role, he can play as an eight, he can play as a 10.
“He’s a man – you can see it when he plays for Dortmund. As a 19-year-old, you’re normally scared to talk to the referee but he’s in the referee’s face demanding answers, demanding decisions and he leaves himself on the pitch constantly. He really pushes you on the pitch. We push each other on and it’s a privilege to play next to him.
“Hopefully, he keeps flourishing. He’s the future of English football to come for the next 15 years.”
The likes of Chelsea, Liverpool and Manchester City have all been linked with a move for Bellingham. Chelsea were even linked with the young midfielder while he was still a Birmingham player.