WONDERBOY

How Jude Bellingham’s performances at Borussia Dortmund convinced Real Madrid to make him their latest Galactico

- Nick Bidwell

If there was a moment when Real Madrid developed an irresistible urge to sign England midfielder Jude Bellingham, it might have occurred in October of last year, when the teenage engine-room all-rounder – only 19 at the time – produced a man-of-the-match display for Borussia Dortmund in a 4-1 victory at Sevilla in the Champions League group phase.

That night, Bellingham bestrode proceedings at the Sanchez Pizjuan like a colossus, pressing with fire and brimstone, constantly breaking into advanced areas and generally setting a fine skipper’s example, filling in for the unavailable Marco Reus and Mats Hummels. The highlights of his evening’s work? Undoubtedly the part he played in Dortmund’s first two goals: a superbly struck cross-field ball paving the way for Raphael Guerreiro to scamper on and fire home, then going on a jinking mission in the inside-left channel before adroitly applying a cool finish.

Any new Real Madrid player has to be able to handle the weighty demands of the Champions League, and Bellingham certainly met that criteria with Dortmund last season. Not only was he the team’s top scorer in the competition with four goals in seven starts, he imperiously ran the show in the middle of the park, a spectacular mix of the physical, technical and cerebral.

Victorious in 11 Champions League matches for Dortmund over three seasons, Bellingham is currently the only BVB professional in history to have achieved as many wins at the UEFA top table while still a teenager.