WHY DORTMUND RANG MY BELL

Wonderkid Bellingham chose Germany over United because Sancho’s men are the best team in Europe at developing young talent

ENGLISH wonderkid Jude Bellingham turned down a move to Manchester United because he believes Borussia Dortmund are the best team in Europe at developing young talent.

The 17-year-old, who held talks with Sir Alex Ferguson (below) after a guided tour of Old Trafford in June, said: “I think the way Dortmund integrate young players into the first-team squad is s next level. There is not ot a club in Europe that does it quite like them, in the way they push you but also reel you back in.

“They can review your performances. There is a person there for every player. Everyone has that support system to work for their chance in the first team.

“Man United have a great squad. And my decision had nothing to do with money. I was so focused and so happy with the interest from Dortmund that they became my first choice. It was never a case of ‘it’s this club over this club.’ For me it was Borussia Dortmund, and that’s it.”

Eleven months ago the Germans beat United to anoth er on e-time target, 20-year-old Erling Haaland. They have also snapped up highly-rated teenagers Gio Reyna from New York City FC and Reinier Jesus Carvalho from Real Madrid on loan.

But Bellingham opted to quit Birmingham (below) and follow Jadon Sancho to Dortmund in the summer after the Germ German giants turned the En England winger into a s superstar.

The decision was a surprise given n that, a as well as Fergurguso son, Bellingham am and dh his family had ad also held talks with Ole le Gunnar Solskjaer and d United’s chief transfer r negotiator Matt Judge. e.

The Dortmund deal al for the youngster could ould eventually be worth £30million. Currently an England Under-21 midfielder, he has scored once in nine games for Dortmund, a strike which made him the club’s youngest goalscorer.

“Jadon is a big example for me,” said Bellingham (training with Sancho, below). “We’re all trying to play but, specifically, we’re trying to make that next step into Europe’s elite. Jadon has done that perfectly. “There’s no denying that, and looking lookin at his journey was a massive ma factor for me. I didn’t didn really speak to him befo before I came out, I sort of did it through ot other people. I w would mention s something and t they would say : ‘Jadon thought the same about this or that.’ Hopefully I can mirror what he has done.” Bellingham is expected to play in the Champions League tie against Club Brugge tonight before facing Bayern Munich in the Bundesliga on Saturday.

Such tests have made him even more convinced that h e made the correct decision to reject offers from

England and move to the Bundesliga.

“The only thing I was bothered about in making this decision was playing football,” he said. “It’s as clear as day that, if you come here and do the right things, you will get your opportunity.

“There are plenty of young players out there who, if given the chance, would shine at first-team level but they don’t quite get the chance f or whatever reason.”

Bellingham also believes many players farmed out on loan to the Championship would make the step up if they instead moved to Germany. “I’m almost an example,” he went on, “as well as many others in our first team, for just giving people a chance.

“Throw them in at the deep end and see what they can do.

“There are a lot more in the Championship who can handle it. These players are often better than you think.”