The highly-rated teenage midfielder has been likened to Liverpool and Chelsea legends, but he wants to write his own story at the highest level
Jude Bellingham is eager to avoid comparisons with Steven Gerrard and Frank Lampard, with the 17-year-old midfielder looking to become a star in his own right at Borussia Dortmund.
The talented teenager has been likened to the Liverpool and Chelsea legends since making a breakthrough at Birmingham.
As a powerful runner through the middle of the park, who also has an eye for goal, it is easy to see why Bellingham has been placed into an illustrious talent pool.
He is, however, just 12 months into a senior career and is aware that he has a long way to go.
Enjoying similar success to Gerrard and Lampard would be most welcome, but there is a desire on the part of a hot prospect to write his own story.
Bellingham told Sport1 on the back of his big-money move to Dortmund: “I am the first Jude Bellingham and I do not want to be compared with Gerrard or Lampard.
“They were great players without a doubt but I have different characteristics.
“I am a different player and a different person.”
Big things are expected of Bellingham, even when taking the Gerrard and Lampard talk out of the equation, but he claims to feel no weight of expectation from his transfer fee or standing under the brightest of spotlights.
He added: “To be honest, I do not feel any pressure. The pressure I put myself under is bigger than any price tag.”
Dortmund invested £25 million ($33m) in Bellingham’s potential when luring him away from Birmingham.
He had made just 44 senior appearances at that point, and never graced the top tier in England, but has settled quickly at Bundesliga giants.
The target has been found in pre-season outings, with Bellingham now looking to follow in the footsteps of team-mate Jadon Sancho by becoming the latest young Englishman to nail down a regular role for German giants.
He said of his plans for 2020-21: “Personally, I want to get as many minutes of play as possible – even in the big games.
“I want to provide assists, score goals and perform well.”
Dortmund are due to open their new domestic campaign with a home date against Borussia Monchengladbach on September 18.
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