Jude has what it takes to be best of all says Cole
JOE COLE believes Jude Bellingham is “right up there” with the very best England playmakers.
Indeed, the Midlands-born teenager, whose Borussia Dortmund outfit face Chelsea in the Champions League on Wednesday, may one day eclipse every midfield great produced on these shores, according to Cole.
And, yes, that includes Three Lions legends such as Paul Gascoigne, Frank Lampard and Steven Gerrard.
That is how highly Cole, who made 282 appearances for the Blues and was capped 56 times during his own glittering career, rates Bellingham, 19.
Asked where the Dortmund skipper ranks alongside Gazza & Co, Cole said: “He’s definitely got the ability to be right up there.
“He could end up standing on the shoulders of all those great players – he could surpass them. He was brilliant at the World Cup. He was so mature, he can do everything. We’re certainly blessed to have him in an England shirt.”
Cole is convinced Bellingham’s rapid rise will continue. “I was lucky to have a fantastic career,” said the former Chelsea and West Ham ace.
“There’s many who don’t make it, they can’t handle the pressure. You get to a level where it’s like a pressure-cooker. Jude has already answered those questions because he has performed at the very highest level for Dortmund and England.
“Bellingham has got it. He’s got that maturity, that fight inside him.”
Cole went from Upton Park to Stamford Bridge in a £6million move 20 years ago. Add another £100m and you are getting close to what former Birmingham player Bellingham will fetch this summer.
That follows Chelsea blowing a record £106m on Benfica midfielder Enzo Fernandez last month.
Cole said: “There might be a premium on Bellingham coming to England, with him being English. The price will be in that region.”
Bellingham versus Fernandez is certain to be a fascinating duel over the two legs. But not a decisive one, according to Cole.
He said: “It’s two of the best young midfielders but that’s not where the game will be won and lost. It’s about the back three or four for Chelsea.
“They have to defend well but the crucial thing is, can they play out through them to get the likes of Mudryk on the ball? Chelsea need rhythm. They have to be brave, play through the lines and take
risks.”