Manchester City

Manchester City

Premier League • England

‘It’s just like Haaland’ – Liverpool, Man City target backed to give Klopp or Pep an almighty headache

England midfielder Jude Bellingham and France forward Kylian Mbappe

Jude Bellingham has been tipped to have the same level of impact Erling Haaland has made if joining Liverpool or Man City, with one observer outlining a headache he’ll give his next manager.

The Borussia Dortmund and England ace, 19, is already one of the world’s best midfielders. Doubts are regularly cast over star players from comparatively weaker leagues. Indeed, Jadon Sancho put up incredible numbers in the Bundesliga and as yet, has floundered at Old Trafford.

However, Bellingham more than justified the hype with a series of commanding displays for the Three Lions in Qatar. If anything, he enhanced his reputation and his transfer value will reflect his displays.

Where Bellingham will play his football next season is shaping up to be the biggest football story of 2023. The three primary clubs in the running are Real Madrid, Liverpool and Man City.

From an English perspective, Liverpool are arguably in the greatest need having postponed their midfield overhaul until Bellingham became available.

Dortmund do still retain hope of convincing him to stay. They’ll ascertain where his future lays when he returns to Germany upon wrapping things up in Qatar.

However, an exit does appear the likeliest outcome at this stage, with Dortmund expected to seek as much as £130m for his sale.

The Reds are understood to have put in the most legwork behind the scenes. They’re also believed to be the preferred destination of his family, something that’s important given his father, Mark, is acting as his agent.

City won’t go down without a fight, however, and Erling Haaland has already given his former Dortmund teammate a steer in City’s direction.

Regardless, one thing is clear, whichever team signs Bellingham will be better off for it.

Bellingham “in the same bracket” as Haaland

Now, speaking to Football Insider, former Premier League striker, Noel Whelan, stressed Bellingham must start every single match if signed.

That goes against the trend in modern football of regular rest and rotation fostered by clubs’ sports science department.

However, Whelan thinks Bellingham is of the calibre required to be immune to rotation, just like Haaland.

“I do not think anybody would go and pay a substantial amount of money for a player like that without starting them,” said Whelan.

“It is just like Haaland. He is that much of an important player in football matches and Bellingham would be in the same bracket. I do not think he is a player you can actually leave out.

“Yes they have got Kalvin Phillips as well so that would make them one hell of a strong midfield. That competition for playing spots would be huge.

“But if you are going to push for Bellingham he has got to start every single game. He has got to be first or second on the team sheet.“

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