Coach Dortmund: 'Bellingham is the best U20 player'

"Jude is the most mature 19-year-old player in the world," Terzic said after Dortmund's 2-0 win over Bremen in the 20th round of the Bundesliga. "Today, he played brilliantly again. He was one of our leaders. You could see in the second half how he controlled the game. You could see him taking more and more out of the game. more responsibility".

Dortmund used to be the launch pad for many young stars. Ousmane Dembele, Christian Pulisic and Erling Haaland all shone at Westfalen before moving on to bigger clubs. Bellingham can also be a bargain. In 2020, Dortmund only spent 20 million USD to buy him from Birmingham City. According to Transfermarkt, Bellingham's current valuation has increased sixfold.

Bellingham's individual achievements also leapt from season to season. From four goals and three assists in 46 games in the 2020-2021 season, the English midfielder increased to six goals and 10 assists in 44 games in the 2021-2022 season. In 27 games this season, Bellingham is owning 10 goals and five assists - impressive statistics for a midfielder who often plays right on the central defender pair.

Not only playing well at Dortmund, Bellingham also shone with England. At the 2022 World Cup, the 19-year-old midfielder started all five matches, contributing one goal and one assist. Had Enzo Fernandez not won the championship with Argentina, the title of Best Young Player would have gone to Bellingham.

Bellingham could even develop into a top player. What he needs is the right club, big trophies and good performances. "Watch Bellingham. He'll be next," advised Sport Bild journalist Yannick Hueber. "In a recent interview, he told me he wanted to win the Ballon d'Or."

Dortmund may sell Bellingham in the summer transfer window of 2023. The contract of the 19-year-old midfielder is still valid until June 2025, so now is the right time to sell Bellingham for the best price. Real Madrid, Man City, Chelsea, Man Utd or Liverpool are all willing to spend more than 100 million USD to buy.

Bellingham will become the other expensive player to leave Dortmund, after Dembele, Pulisic and Haaland. The German team will use the proceeds to continue to build and buy new young players.

"A training ground for other clubs? We have no choice," said 28-year-old teacher Patrick Bode, a Dortmund fan. "We don't have the money. You can't compare the Premier League and the Bundesliga economically. For Dortmund, that's the only way to go. As fans, we have to look at the facts."

Journalist Hueber made a similar prediction. He thought that Bellingham was growing too fast and that Dorrtmund was no longer suitable for his career.