WATCH: Jude Bellingham is the complete midfielder, playing three positions at once
Jude Bellingham most sought after player in world football ahead of the summer transfer window as Europe’s elite all snoop around the England midfielder.
His outstanding performances for Borussia Dortmund in the Bundesliga and Champions League, as well as his performance at the 2022 World Cup, have awakened everyone to notice Bellingham’s sparkling talent. Not to mention the 19-year-old has already worn the captain’s armband four times this season.
But having said that, what actually makes Jude Bellingham such a special player? FourFourTwo‘s Adam Clery explains more in the video below.
Bellingham’s ability to play three positions at once
In both of England’s opening Euro 2024 qualifiers against Italy and Ukraine, Gareth Southgate set up the side in a 4–3–3 formation, with Bellingham in left central midfield each time. Declan Rice played alongside him both times, with Kalvin Phillips and Jordan Henderson taking turns in each game.
However, if FFT’s Adam Clery highlights, Bellingham didn’t stay in that one position for the entire game. No, instead he played the role of three midfielders at once
“One thing you have to understand about Jude Bellingham is that he’s one of the best players in the world at this [defensive third] position, but he is also one of the best players in the world in this [midfield third] position – and, handily, he’s one of the best players in the world at this [attacking third] position.
“He can literally play almost any midfield role at elite level. That’s what he did for England if and when situations required him.”
He highlighted every aspect of his game against Italy last Thursday, Bellingham’s pressing, winning back, quick runs forward, ability to win offenses, shooting and his desire to get into the penalty area to attack crosses.
Indeed, for defensive contributions per 90 minutes over the past year in Europe’s top five leagues, Bellingham is in the top 25, 15 and five percent of midfielders. For progressive plays per 90 minutes over the same timescale, the 19-year-old is among the top ten percent of midfielders.
And finally, for offensive contributions per 90 minutes over the past year, he is once again in the top ten percent of midfielders.
“The guy literally does everything, and does it all in every game,” Clery concludes.
Wearing the number 22 shirt for his club side also indicates his ability as a midfielder to play any position in that part of the pitch – as a four, eight and 10.
During an interview with FFTBellingham’s first senior manager at Birmingham, Pep Clotet, phoned the Dortmund midfielder to find out if he insisted on putting on the specific number.
“Hey Jude, quick one? Yes, everything is fine,” Clotet’s conversation with Bellingham went.
“Just a quick one: why did you choose the 22 shirt at Blues? And why four, why eight and why ten? Those are all the positions you can play? Okay! No, it’s because a journalist told me that and I said: ‘Fucking hell, you know more than me!’ I said, ‘I’ll ask him!’ Okay, thanks – that’s it. Go on, talk to you later!”
#WATCH #Jude #Bellingham #complete #midfielder #playing #positions
