Theo Walcott has raved about Liverpool transfer target Jude Bellingham as a ‘future captain’ of England, alongside West Ham United’s Declan Rice, as he told talkSPORT.
The Southampton winger added that he thinks Bellingham and Rice are two of the best midfielders at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.
Gareth Southgate’s side kick-off their campaign against Iran on Monday and Bellingham is expected to start, alongside Rice, who was a regular at Euro 2020.
The duo are the future of England’s midfield, and if they cook in the middle of the park, then it will make the rest of the England team sing.
Bellingham is 19-years-old heading to his first-ever World Cup, Walcott was only 16 when he was picked by Sven-Goran Eriksson in 2006, as he spoke about the rising Borussia Dortmund star.
“I was a kid, who (at the time) didn’t feature in the Premier League,” said Walcott. “Jude (Bellingham) is a bit of an exception, I would say, he is playing in the Champions League at such a young age and he is being exposed, but playing.
“I was never playing in the Premier League, then I was exposed to the World Cup, then it sort of I was like a rabbit in headlights. It was scary. It was more scary because, my wife right now, was followed by paparazzi continuously. I don’t think it happens anymore. That was just so surreal.
“What I like about the players right now is that they are taking in the media side of it. They want everyone involved. I think you want to be in there with them for the whole journey.
“I think Jude is an exception. I think he’s a future captain as well. I know there will be a bit of competition between him and Declan Rice. I would argue, we have two of the best midfield players going into this tournament.”
LIVERPOOL’S INTEREST IN BELLINGHAM
Well, as of today, Liverpool will feel they have their work cut out in trying to sign the sought-after midfielder.
And, in truth, the 2022 World Cup might not do them any favours, especially given that the January transfer window is only around the corner.
If Bellingham starts to cook on the world’s biggest stage, then the Real Madrid’s of this world, who want to add to their already-impressive midfield, will only push on the emergency button…and they have been here before, just ask a certain James Rodriguez.
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