England sensation Jude Bellingham should avoid moving to a Premier League club – at least not for a few more seasons.
That is the advice that Everton star and pundit Andros Townsend has given to the 19-year-old midfielder who is widely considered to be one of, if not the best young player in the world right now.
Bellingham scored England’s first goal of their World Cup campaign in the 6-2 thrashing of Iran on Monday, following on from his incredible form for Borussia Dortmund who he has starred for since 2020.
He has been heavily tipped to leave the Bundesliga for the Premier League very soon, with Liverpool, Chelsea and Manchester United linked to the star who, it is suggested, could cost around £150million.
But Townsend doesn’t believe he should return to England just yet, citing the much maligned transfer of Jack Grealish to Manchester City as his reasoning.
‘I’d say stay there [Dortmund] a bit longer, because if he comes to the Premier League he will be £150m,’ the winger told talkSPORT.
‘Bellingham scores goals but his main quality isn’t scoring goals. He’ll come to the Premier League for £150m, the media, everyone is going to expect him to score goals.
‘When he doesn’t do that, even when he’s playing well, they are going to be on his back. We are going to have a Jack Grealish situation.
‘For me, stay in Germany, do what you’re doing any maybe further along the line come back.’
England attacking midfielder Grealish moved from Aston Villa to City in 2021 for a British and Premier League record transfer worth over £100m, but just seven goals and four assists in 55 games has earned plenty of criticism.
Given how other hugely-expensive Premier League transfers in recent years have struggled, like Manchester United’s Jadon Sancho or Chelsea’s Romelu Lukaku, perhaps Bellingham should heed Townsend’s warning.
Bellingham should next be in action for the Three Lions on Friday night when they take on the USA.
MORE : ‘Very difficult’ – Chelsea legend Didier Drogba explains why African teams struggle at the World Cup
MORE : Ian Wright blasts Chelsea star Kai Havertz after Germany’s shock defeat to Japan
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