Speaking to the BBC ahead of England vs Iran (BBC1 21/11/21 12PM), Jude Bellingham has been discussing his idol Steven Gerrard and some comparisons that have been made between the pair.
Bellingham, of course, is a player that is wanted by Liverpool. The Reds even asked about a transfer in the summer, and inevitably, this speculation has led to many suggesting that Bellingham could be the heir to Gerrard’s Anfield throne.
The Borussia Dortmund star has heard these comparisons, and he says that he’s not too happy with these comments, stating that it’s disrespectful to Gerrard and his achievements to make this comparison so early in his career.
Bellingham refutes Gerrard claims
Bellingham named Gerrard as his idol and discussed the comparisons that have been made.
“Gerrard was probably my biggest one. The character he has beside the football was world class and then you add in his ability, it’s a joke really,” Bellingham said.
“When your hero takes time to appreciate what you’ve done it’s special, but I’m not sure how I feel. It’s almost disrespectful to say to him that we have similarities after just three years, but I just want to be Jude and to go on my own path. What he did was amazing and if I can get close to what he’s done I’ll do well.”
Humble
In a way, it’s good to hear Bellingham speaking in this way.
A more ego-driven young player would take these sort of comparisons in their stride and play up to the ‘next Gerrard’ label, but Bellingham recognises that he has a long way to go in his career before he can start being mentioned in these terms.
Of course, these comparisons will only go stronger if Bellingham does end up at Anfield, and with the Reds clearly very keen on this young man, that is a distinct possibility.
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