Bellingham will be a 'hell of a player' wherever he goes - Dortmund legend

Robin Bairner

• 10 Mar 2023 12:03 CST
• 4 min read

Borussia Dortmund midfielder Jude Bellingham will be a success no matter what path he decides for his career so long as he remains humble, according to club legend Paul Lambert.

Bellingham occupies the same midfield position that Scotland international Lambert did at BVB during his career in Germany, where he played a starring role in the 1997 Champions League-winning side.

The 19-year-old, meanwhile, is subject to an almighty transfer tug of war involving the Premier League’s biggest sides as well as Real Madrid. Chelsea, Manchester United, Manchester City and Liverpool all want him.

Liverpool confident on Bellingham as Klopp plots €220m summer transfer spend

Dortmund, though, have not given up hope of keeping him for perhaps another season. While Lambert would love to see this, he hinted that it’s a slim possibility.

“I would love to say that he’ll stay because he’s only a 19-year-old kid,” he told FootballTransfers. “What I would say about him – and I don’t say this lightly or trying to put any pressure on him – when I saw him training a few years ago, he was the best young player I’ve seen in a long time.

“He’s got all the attributes that a top midfielder has. He plays with great maturity, he’s got a little bit of devilment in him, which I think you need. Jude could be anything he wants – as long as he keeps being humble. There’s not too much need to change. He needs to keep the attitude he’s got.

“If he does move – no one knows what’s going to happen – he’s one hell of a player that’s for sure.”

MORE: How Man Utd would line up with Bellingham, Kane AND Mount

Which role is Bellingham’s best?

One concern small concern over Bellingham is that he’s difficult to pigeonhole into one role because he is so good.

“Would I see him as a natural sitter? Probably not. I don’t see many flaws in his game,” Lambert said. “He’s got a lot of really good attributes. He can handle big games. He can handle the atmosphere. He’s not intimidated by any opponent he’s up against. He can do great things with the ball. Can he get around the pitch? He’s really fit. He’s got everything. He’s got everything in his locker to have an extraordinary career.

“If he keeps going the way he’s going, he can hit the heights of any great British player.”

Ahead of Saturday’s 150th derby with Schalke, Lambert is eager to see Bellingham get a trophy to show for his time in Germany.

“The club’s been great for him and he’s been great for the club,” the former Aston Villa boss added. “If he can get a Bundesliga title, it would be a great honour for him. He’s only 19 and I would like to see him stay a long time there, but in the modern game, anything can happen.

“For Jude, I think it’s important to win a title when he’s still there.”

Dortmund, meanwhile, are second in the league but are level on points with leaders Bayern Munich.