Frank Lampard, the former Chelsea manager, recently revealed that Chelsea’s leadership thwarted his efforts to secure the young talent Jude Bellingham’s transfer to the club.
Lampard, who managed Chelsea during his first spell, expressed his desire to bring Bellingham to Stamford Bridge but faced resistance from the club’s hierarchy. The stumbling block was the idea of paying £20 million for a player of Bellingham’s age.
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“When I was managing at Chelsea, I was desperate to bring Jude Bellingham in. But I couldn’t get it through upstairs…the idea of paying £20m for someone his age,” Lampard told former teammate John Obi Mikel on the Obi One Podcast.
Jude Bellingham’s rise to stardom has been nothing short of remarkable. After spending three seasons at Borussia Dortmund, he made a high-profile move to Real Madrid and has become a key contributor to the team’s success. His 13 goals and three assists in various competitions account for a significant portion of Real Madrid’s overall output in La Liga and the Champions League.
Even with a hefty price tag of €134 million (£117 million) with add-ons, Bellingham’s performances make him appear as a tremendous bargain for the Spanish giants.
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Bellingham’s journey began when he made his debut for Birmingham City’s first team just 38 days after turning 16. His potential was evident, and he quickly attracted attention from top clubs. Manchester United had a keen interest, but it was Borussia Dortmund that ultimately secured his signature in 2020.
However, it could have been Chelsea who acquired Bellingham’s services had Lampard succeeded in convincing the club’s decision-makers. Unfortunately for Frank Lampard, Chelsea’s reluctance to part with the required funds meant that Bellingham’s path led him elsewhere. Interestingly, Bellingham’s decision was not swayed by monetary offers, as Manchester United had offered double the salary package compared to other suitors. Even Lampard’s persuasion was not enough to persuade him to choose Chelsea.
Former Birmingham chief executive Xuandong Ren shed light on Bellingham’s decision-making process, emphasizing that Bellingham was motivated by factors beyond money.
Despite lucrative financial offers from Manchester United, Bellingham opted to focus on his footballing ambitions rather than just monetary gain.
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In hindsight, Chelsea’s decision to block Bellingham’s transfer appears to be a missed opportunity, as the young English midfielder has blossomed into a global football sensation at Real Madrid. Lampard’s desire to bring him to Chelsea underscores the talent that Bellingham possesses and the impact he could have had on the Premier League club.
