Former Aston Villa midfielder Andy Townsend believes Jude Bellingham should take note of Jack Grealish’s Manchester City career. An impressive performance in England’s World Cup opener heightened talk of Bellingham - who scored the first goal against Iran - joining the Premier League.
Borussia Dortmund signed the midfielder as a 17-year-old from Birmingham City in 2020. Since then, Bellingham has emerged as a potential superstar, starring in the Bundesliga and Champions League despite his tender years.
Every top club in Europe will undoubtedly be chasing the youngster when he finally decides to move on. After signing one Dortmund player in Erling Haaland last summer, you would struggle to find a City fan who would reject another.
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However, ITV co-commentator Townsend has urged Bellingham to stay in Germany - and pointed at Grealish’s woes at the Etihad Stadium. Rival supporters have used a lack of goals - a trait the 27-year-old has never possessed - as a stick to beat him with following his £100million move.
Given he would command a similar transfer fee, Townsend has told Bellingham to continue learning his trade at Dortmund - for now. The 59-year-old said: “I’d stay there (Dortmund) a bit longer. If he comes to the Premier League, it's going to be £150-odd-million.
“We're going to have a similar effect to Paul Pogba, where Bellingham scores goals, but his main quality is not scoring goals. So he's gonna come to the Premier League for £ 150 odd million, the media, everyone's gonna be expecting him to score goals.
"When he doesn't do that, even if he's playing well, they're going to be on his back and we're going to have a Jack Grealish situation. So for me, I'd stay in Germany, do what you're doing and maybe, further along the line, come back."
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