ENGLAND
Jordan Henderson on Jude Bellingham: “I can’t believe his age and his mentality”
Liverpool midfielder Jordan Henderson has been hugely impressed by Jude Bellingham.
Jordan Henderson believes he has never seen a young player with Jude Bellingham’s mentality.
Bellingham has been key in the international break for England as they beat Italy and Ukraine in their Euro 2024 qualification group.
At 19, the Borussia Dortmund midfielder already has 24 England caps, and Henderson believes he is a special player.
“His potential is through the roof, really. He can be as good as he wants to be – but he’s got the right mentality, which is the most important thing,” Henderson said.
“He is a really special player and I can’t believe his age and his mentality, how he applies himself to training and the games, everything.
“I’ve never seen it before so I’m pretty confident that he’ll be a pretty good player for many years to come.
“Honestly, I can’t believe his age, how mature he plays, how mature he is off the pitch, in the gym, training, everything, recovery day after the game. He is just dedicated to football.”
Henderson vs Bellingham
“He’s a lot better than me, that’s the difference,” Henderson said when asked to compare himself at 19 to Bellingham.
“Mentality-wise, we’re similar, in terms of dedicating my life, done all the right things and try to improve and be better every day.
“I can see that, but he’s better than I was at that age for sure. He’s a special player, but I’ve said it before, we just need to be careful not to apply too much pressure on him but let him play football.
“When you let him play football you can see what he does for Dortmund, you can see what he does here for England. Every time he puts on an England shirt he grows and is getting better and better all the time.
“Of course there are things he can improve on and get better at — he’s only 19 — but the platform and the basis he has got, he can go as high as he wants to.”
Bellingham linked with move away from Dortmund
The England international, who has already captained Dortmund, has been linked with a move to the Premier League and LaLiga.
With Liverpool among the suitors, Henderson admits it would be “amazing” to see him join the Anfield outfit.
Henderson added: “Listen, I just want him to be the best player he can be. Of course, if it ended up being Liverpool that would be amazing. But it’s got to be right for him and it’s going to be every club you can think of that will want him.
“He has to think about himself and make sure he makes the right decision for his career. But there’s going to be one lucky club that will end up getting him, whether that is now or in a year or two, it will be a lucky club.”