Chelsea are reportedly the latest entrant in the race to sign Borussia Dortmund star Jude Bellingham next summer.
The England international, 19, has been regarded as one of the best talents across Europe. He has caught the eye of many around the world with his eye-catching displays at Borussia Dortmund since arriving from Birmingham City in 2020. As a result, the player has a long list of suitors waiting to pounce in 2023.
According to transfer guru Fabrizio Romano (h/t Diario AS), Chelsea will rival Liverpool, Manchester United, Manchester City and Real Madrid for the signature of Borussia Dortmund midfielder Jude Bellingham. Dortmund have slapped a staggering €100m price tag on the teenager’s head amidst interest from a host of elite European clubs, the report adds.
Bellingham continues to show his class that belies his age, helping Dortmund to fifth on the Bundesliga table. Going by the form and impact he has made for the club and country, the central midfielder is expected to make the cut in Gareth Southgate’s England squad for the upcoming World Cup.
Jude Bellingham to Chelsea—Is he what the Pensioners needs?
Chelsea shocked the world last week by sacking manager Thomas Tuchel and replacing him with Graham Potter. Having proven himself at Brighton, Graham Potter looks like an intriguing appointment by the Blues with new owner Todd Boehly opting for a long-term approach for his exciting-look project in west London.
The new Chelsea boss will be expected to get a tune out of the players that were underperforming under Tuchel, whilst making the side play an exciting, possession-based style of football. He will also have a bigger budget than Brighton to spend, with Boehly certain to back the English tactician in the transfer market.
One area Potter should prioritise addressing next year is the midfield, with Jorginho and N’Golo Kante well into their 30s. Kante has become injury prone in the last 15-18 months, missing a lot of action for Chelsea and France. With the Frenchman seemingly past his prime, a long-term replacement will be necessary in the near future.
Jude Bellingham may not be a like-for-like Kante replacement but he will add a lot of value to Chelsea. At just 19 years old, Bellingham is already a regular for Dortmund and England. The teenager can provide the Pensioners with an instant option in midfield as well as a long-term solution. The midfielder has been consistently delivering the goods for his club and country over the last two years, showing that he is capable of performing at the highest level.
Bellingham is a versatile player who can operate as a deep-lying playmaker, in the double-pivot or in the no.10 role behind the central striker. In Potter’s flexible and fluid system at Stamford Bridge, slotting into the team should not be an issue for the 19-year-old talent. And considering how Potter nurtured and developed a lot of young talents at Brighton, Bellingham may find Chelsea an attractive destination.
Thus, the Blues must break the bank for Bellingham next summer and make a statement, as the Englishman has the potential to become the best midfielder of the new generation.
