Young Jude should keep his shirt on

JUDE BELLINGHAM is the best player I’ve ever seen at his age, and I’m sure he will be a big hit at Borussia Dortmund.

But Birmingham City retiring the No.22 shirt to honour a teenager who played 44 games and scored four goals? Do me a favour!

We should be celebrating the export of an exciting prospect to one of Europe’s top clubs instead of scoffing at Birmingham’s gesture – which may have increased the pressure on a 17-year-old boy.

I watched Bellingham playing for the Blues’ youth teams when he was 15 or 16, and I walked away from games thinking, ‘Wow, I’ve never seen a talent like him’.

As well as ability, he had a fantastic work ethic, and there was also a bit of arrogance about him. And if he makes as much impact at Dortmund (above) as Jadon Sancho, he’s going to be a headline act.

It’s not Bellingham’s fault that Birmingham have retired the No.22 shirt. But what’s that all about? If it’s a ‘thank-you’ for generating around £30million of income in the transfer market then dozens of clubs would be doing it.

Did Birmingham retire the No.8 shirt when Trevor Francis became the first £1million footballer? No, and thank goodness, because I wouldn’t have been able to wear it when I moved to St Andrew’s!

When I saw that Birmingham had retired a jersey, at first I dreamed it might have been in honour of the No.8 who beat World Cup winner Christophe Dugarry to player of the season. Only joking (I think).

But when you look at the list of shirts that have been retired down the years, you realise it’s a misplaced gesture: Bobby Moore No.6, West Ham Paolo Maldini No.3, AC Milan

Diego Maradona No.10, Napoli Javier Zanetti No.4, Inter Milan Johan Cruyff No.14, Ajax

Jude Bellingham No.22, Birmingham One of those names sticks out like a sore thumb, doesn’t it?

Like I said, it’s not Bellingham’s fault and I wish the kid nothing but success in the Bundesliga.

But I’m beginning to wonder if I should ask the Blues’ owners if beating Aston Villa home and away, and taking a headbutt from Dion Dublin as part of the bargain, is worth retiring the No.8 shirt?