When he was in charge of Chelsea, Frank Lampard claims he wanted to sign Jude Bellingham and Declan Rice but fell short of doing so.
Bellingham and Rice both started in England’s impressive 6-2 thrashing of Iran on Monday in Qatar, with Bellingham netting his first Three Lions goal by heading in the opening score.
Under Gareth Southgate, the 19-year-old from Borussia Dortmund and the 23-year-old from West Ham are both guaranteed starts, despite Lampard’s claims that he wanted both players at Stamford Bridge a few years ago.
The former Chelsea manager wanted to sign the young Englishmen in the summer of 2020 after imposing a transfer ban when he took over the Blues in July 2019 and remaining in charge until January 2021.
Lampard of Bellingham told Sky Sports that the player is already essential and has an exceptional talent for someone so young.
He has more talent and experience than his years would indicate, allowing him to perform at a high level already.
When he was at Chelsea, Lampard tried to sign him. He wanted to sign both him and Declan Rice, who will likely make up England’s midfield for this tournament.
We have to be a little more patient with him because of the high expectations, but the way he’s played and performed.
Lampard is confident that nothing will phase him because of his extremely mature demeanor and expects him to have a successful tournament.
Rio Ferdinand joined the chorus of those who praised Bellingham after his performance against Iran, comparing the teenager to some of England’s greatest players throughout history.
Ferdinand noted that great midfielders from our generation have represented England over the years on Vibe with Five. Gascoigne, Scholes, the Gerrards, and the Lampards, to name a few.
None of those guys were performing at the level Jude Bellingham is at this young age on the international stage. This young man is playing every single Champions League game and doing everything.
Jude is currently doing something that none of them have ever done, even though he didn’t mean to imply that he is better than them or that he will surpass them in the future.
