Jude was thrust into the limelight when he made his first team debut at 16 for Birmingham City. Long before that scouts up and down the country were forming strategies of how they could try to snap up one of England’s brightest ever young stars.
Jude started at Birmingham age 7 and was the first pick for their U9 team. He’s always been an exciting player and age 15 made his U23 debut, and at 16 years and 18 days old made his first team debut becoming Birmingham City’s youngest ever player.
Most often he plays as a deeper lying midfielder, but can play in any central midfield role and can also become an exciting number 10, he seems to have that vision in the final third, which can set him apart.
He is tough in the tackle, he is physically mature and strong, so he is not the sort of 16 year old who can be knocked around by senior pro’s. He is good with his short passing and doesn’t mis place passes, he plays some lovely through balls too. He has good speed and can break lines with an explosive movement.
Former Villa player, Lee Hendrie, said,
I just look at him, he’s got an old head on a young body. He just seems like he’s experienced. I saw him in a cup game at Portsmouth, he’s neat and tidy, composed on the ball.
As enjoyable as it is to see Bellingham come through, I can’t wait to see how his career unfolds, he could really be a special talent.
Jude is extremely mature, just doesn’t seem to act like a 16 year old, he’s super composed on the ball and that might be the one area to work on for the Championship. A few times he’s lost the ball being a little bit too relaxed on it, the Championship is high tempo, and in some games you do just need to move it on quickly.
Former Birmingham striker, Kevin Phillips, said,
I’ve watched him a lot live this season and, yeah, he has got everything.
He is a good midfielder player but he scores goals as well, he puts himself in good positions.
At that age, he is a leader as well and he’s not afraid to give people a telling off when they need it. He’s going to the very top.”
Jude is also flying with England, already he’s played at 15s, 16s, and 17s and was player of the tournament in a recent U17 festival. There is a lot of speculation and I am sure he is going to get a big move very soon, but credit to Birmingham for developing a decent person and top potential talent.
