Jude Bellingham has named former Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard as the only player past or present who he would swap shirts with.
Bellingham became the youngest first team player in Birmingham City’s history when he made his debut at Portsmouth aged just 16 years and 63 days on August 6, 2019.
He moved to Dortmund for an undisclosed fee in July last year and enjoyed a hugely-impressive debut season with the Bundesliga club.
The Stourbridge-born teenager made 44 appearances in all competitions and scored four goals, while helping them to win the DFB-Pokal.
That impressive form led to the midfielder being named in Gareth Southgate’s England squad for Euro 2020.
And speaking as part of an FA England event on YouTube, Bellingham named Gerrard over Rooney in who he would want to swap shirts with.
“Stevie G, easily to be fair. In fact, no it is not easy, I think him or (Wayne) Rooney definitely close,” he replied when asked the one player he'd swap shirts with.
“But I think I would go Gerrard, though. The No.8, similar position to me, so yeah, I would probably go with him.”
The 17-year-old was introduced into England’s opening game victory over Croatia at Wembley on Sunday as a second half substitute in place of captain Harry Kane.
As a result, the Dortmund star has become the youngest ever player to appear at the finals, eclipsing the record set by Netherlands defender Jetro Willems in 2012.
The Dutch full-back set the record nine years ago as he played aged 18 years and 71 days, but Bellingham appeared on Sunday aged 17 years and 345 days.
And it was reported last week that Dortmund were hoping to start new contract talks with Bellingham amid growing interest from Anfield.
While Gerrard was one of Liverpool’s greatest players and captained the club to Champions League, FA Cup and League Cup glory during his career.
The Huyton-born Reds Academy graduate represented the Anfield club 504 times across 17 seasons in the top-flight, scoring 120 goals.
Bellingham has already been labelled the next Gerrard by his current Dortmund team-mate Erling Haaland.
After netting his first goal for Dortmund last year, Haaland wrote on Instagram to Bellingham: "The new Stevie G."
