Chelsea legend Joe Cole has urged Jude Bellingham to ‘cement his legacy’ in Saturday night’s Champions League final.
Real Madrid star Bellingham is battling to win for the first time in his career at Wembley, but will need to triumph over his former side Borussia Dortmund to do so.
The 20-year-old will face a number of familiar faces this evening, with former teammate Jadon Sancho likely to feature in Edin Terzic’s line-up.
Ahead of the match – the biggest on the club football calendar – Cole has teamed up with Expedia Live, the brand that encourages fans to travel to the stunning match to get a taste of the match.
Speaking to Mail Sport, Cole said: ‘It’s going to be a great game. I think it’s fantastic that we have this game first of all in London and that we have the opportunity to show our skills.
As part of Expedia Live’s ‘Travel the Beautiful Game’ campaign, Joe Cole spoke to Mail Sport to preview the Champions League final between Real Madrid and Borussia Dortmund
Former teammates Jude Bellingham (left) and Jadon Sancho face off in the final
“You know, welcoming the world to this great city for fans to come to. Dortmund fans have a history of playing the final in London, so they know all about that. But it’s just great that we have it in this country. And we have to do it justice.”
Cole – who made 56 appearances for England during his established career – then reflected on the seasons of Bellingham and Sancho and what a win in the final could mean for both men.
‘It will be a big moment for both of them, for different reasons, but Jadon Sancho is a fantastically talented player. It didn’t work for him at Manchester United, but there is no doubting his abilities. He went to Dortmund and he is doing it. He is home! He was brilliant in the semi-final, especially in the first leg.
‘And with Jude… I love Jude! I think he’s great. If I were managing Jude now, I’d say, “I don’t want you doing media.”
‘In this country everyone is clambering with it. So I would say, I don’t care what the media guys say, what the sponsors say, if I’m taking care of Jude Bellingham, forget all that.
“Go and become the great player you already are, but go cement your legacy and win. Enjoy it. More importantly, take it all in. He doesn’t have to run around answering questions.
‘I’m watching the euros, with Gareth [Southgate]. As soon as he turns up for the team, I’d say, “Listen, you’re not doing anything after the match. Go straight through the mixed zone. We’re not imposing anything on you.”
Cole urged Bellingham to ‘cement his legacy’ when he plays in his first Champions League final
Sancho has been in rejuvenated form since joining Borussia Dortmund on loan in January
‘There will be resistance from many people, but you have to do what is good for him, for the team. Let him enjoy his football. Let him play’.
While Bellingham has had a standout season since leaving Borussia Dortmund and moving to Madrid for £113 million, his former teammate Sancho has since returned to Germany.
In September, Sancho was banned from Manchester United and sent back to Dortmund in January after falling out with manager Erik ten Hag.
In a post on social media, Sancho effectively branded Ten Hag a liar over the reasons why he left the player out of his squad for not training hard enough.
However, Sancho will have the last laugh when he plays for Dortmund against Real Madrid in the Champions League final at Wembley, a week after Ten Hag won the FA Cup there in what could be his last game in charge.
Speaking more about Sancho, Cole continued: “I think Sancho is a fantastic, talented player. I don’t think he has the mindset and mindset of a Jude Bellingham, and that’s fine, you know, he’s had his struggles.
‘I don’t think he covered himself in glory with the way he handled himself at Manchester United. I’m not trying to grab headlines or anything. I’d say it to his face!
‘But I think he’s a good boy. And I’m so happy for him that he’s smiling and that he’s playing football again and doing his thing. But I think the responsibility in that situation is on both fronts, right? But that’s life. You make mistakes and you grow up.
‘He’ll be here tomorrow and I hope he rams it down the throats of everyone who doubted him. I love a redemption story, you know. But ultimately, as you get older, you think about the things you do and learn, and I think he will learn from his experience. I think he still has a lot to say from England and whatever.
In September, Sancho was expelled from Man United and sent back to Dortmund on loan
Sancho was left out of Southgate’s provisional squad for this summer’s European Championship despite his impressive form for Dortmund in the second half of the season.
Cole continued, “He left his run late. If he had started the season with Dortmund I think he would have been in the picture. I mean, the unfortunate thing is there are other great players at that position doing great things.
“I think the one thing I hope he does is he learns from his experience. You know, I think he’s a misunderstood character, but someone around him needs to tell him that he needs to take some responsibility for what happened.
‘Because a player of his ability should not be allowed to play in the Manchester United team.’
Joe Cole spoke on behalf of Expedia Live. The brand encourages fans to explore the beautiful game because there’s nothing like being there. Visit Expedia Live or head to the Expedia stand at the UEFA Champions Festival in Trafalgar Square this weekend.