Jude Bellingham is a fascinating talent: the next step is to join football’s greats

B orussia Dortmund have an opportunity to take advantage of Bayern Munich’s problems and become German champions for the first time since 2012. The main reason they are is Jude Bellingham: the most fascinating player in the league.

Bellingham is a complete midfielder. He can dribble, pass, shoot and has the urge to score. His first contact with the ball is exceptional, most recently seen in his goal to make it 1-0 against Eintracht Frankfurt. He is physical and fearless, holds his ground in challenges and wins the ball. He shows character on the pitch, seeking out battles with strong opponents and takes responsibility in important games, for club and country.

His skills are on display in every game, including the 4-2 defeat in Munich at the beginning of April. I didn’t understand the criticism that came his way afterwards. If he is not playing, as was the case for the defeat in the German Cup quarter-final at Leipzig, the team has much less energy. Dortmund cannot afford to be without him.

Bellingham sparks imagination because he could become world-class one day. He is only 19, but very developed. At 16, he proved himself in the Championship in England and he is a consistent performer in the German top flight in his third season. Gareth Southgate counts on him and at the World Cup in Qatar he was in England’s starting XI for every game.

It is the mark of outstanding players that they can showcase their talent at a young age and do so effortlessly. I can’t think of a world‑class player in the past 30 years who didn’t stand out at 20. If you assert yourself at that level at such a young age, you’re setting yourself up for a bright future. Bellingham has what it takes to take on a role in any top team in Europe over the