Rio Ferdinand and Joleon Lescott are both in agreeance over one thing that former Manchester United target Jude Bellingham is showing after his “phenomenal” impact at Real Madrid.
Former United manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer had admitted that Bellingham was a key target for him and how he wanted the Madrid star at Old Trafford so “badly.”
Paul Scholes, Ferdinand and Gary Neville were among the United legends who were calling for the Red Devils to edge out the competition in the race to sign Bellingham.
Bellingham was linked with the likes of United, Liverpool and Manchester City after the England star burst onto the world stage during his time at Borussia Dortmund.
The 20-year-old ex-Birmingham City midfielder left Dortmund last summer and completed his blockbuster move to La Liga side Madrid for an initial fee of £88.5m.
United legend Ferdinand on Bellingham
Bellingham has been in scintillating form since he arrived at the Santiago Bernabeu and quickly established himself as a key figure under Madrid boss Carlo Ancelotti.
The England international has scored an impressive 13 times and registered three assists in 14 appearances for Madrid across all competitions this season.
Bellingham also scooped the Kopa Trophy at the 2023 Ballon d’Or ceremony last month, with the Madrid star beating out both Jamal Musiala and Pedri to the award.
Ferdinand, who previously outlined why Bellingham rejected a United move, raved about the Three Lions midfielder’s ability on the pitch and his maturity off the pitch.
Speaking on TNT Sports, he said: “He seems to have set a new level as well when you go to a new club and say, ‘You need a bit of grace, a year to acclimatise.’ He said, ‘No,’ ripped it up and said, ‘I’m here now.’
“He’s got the ability, but he’s got the mentality not to be phased. You can throw a camera in front of him and a mic under his nose after a game when the emotions have been high, and you throw him into an award ceremony.
“He doesn’t trip over his words; he’s phenomenal.”
Lescott echoes Ferdinand’s comments on Bellingham
Bellingham has rightfully earned praise for his behaviour both on the pitch and off it, with Wayne Rooney tipping the in-form Madrid man to be a future England captain.
Lescott, much like TNT Sports pundit Ferdinand, was in awe at the former Dortmund star’s “maturity” and the impact that Bellingham has had at Los Blancos so far.
“He speaks and plays with so much maturity above his age. He plays with elegance and also passion,” he said.
“We’ve seen that some of the biggest names in football at Real Madrid have really taken to him.
“This is no disrespect to him, as I don’t think we’ve seen anything from him that we haven’t seen before from world-class talent, but he’s doing it all together.
“He’s doing it nine times out of 10 and produces what the moment requires.”
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