ude Bellingham transformed into one of the best midfielders in the world in his time with Borussia Dortmund. However, after losing yet another superstar, are BVB just a launch-pad for future talents?
In his three seasons with Borussia Dortmund, Jude Bellingham developed from a lanky teenager into a fearless midfield all-rounder, using both his physicality to break up attacks and his deft touch to penetrate defences.
Now, Real Madrid have splashed out an initial €103 million ($111m) on the 19-year-old, intending to make him the centerpiece of their next generation of galacticos.
For Bellingham, it’s a logical next step and one which will be met with understandable fanfare and expectation.
But Dortmund's decision to sell with two years still left on his contract has one again posed the perennial questions over the German club's stature within the football landscape.
'I'm certainly not an apprentice anymore'
It took little time for Bellingham to showcase his talents in Germany, scoring his first goal away at MSV Duisburg in the German cup in September 2020, a deflected effort in a 5-0 win.
Days later, in his first Bundesliga match, he picked up his first assist in the league teeing up Giovanni Reyna in a routine win against Borussia Monchengladbach.
"I'm certainly not an apprentice anymore," he said in his first interview with German magazine Kicker in October 2020, making reference to winning the English Football League Apprentice of the Year award 19-20.
"I’ve already matured a lot as a player and as a person in the last few months. The Bundesliga is extremely tough and deserves its reputation as one of the toughest in the world.
"It’s invaluable for my future career to adapt to the physical and mental robustness in this league, which you need at this level."
Bellingham was not wrong. In his time in black and yellow, he developed into a player who could not only shoot, dribble and pass with accuracy and ease, but also into one who could win the ball in the air and hold his ground in challenges.
Alaba: 'Bellingham is one of the greatest talents in the world'
Having emerged from Erling Haaland's shadow last season, after the Norwegian midfielder joined Manchester City, Bellingham unsurprisingly became the standout player game after game for Dortmund.
In October 2022, though Dortmund slipped to a 3-1 loss to Gladbach, perhaps the most memorable moment of match came from the vibrant midfielder's brilliant assist.
