‘If you see that, you’re thinking: ‘There’s only one place I can go’: Rio Ferdinand says Jude Bellingham may have been convinced to join Real Madrid over Liverpool after a confident Champions League win over the Reds
- Rio Ferdinand believes Jude Bellingham may opt to join Real Madrid this summer
- He said the England star will have been impressed to see them beat Liverpool.
- Michael Owen and Peter Crouch said it will be difficult to attract him without the top four
Rio Ferdinand believes Jude Bellingham may have been convinced to join Real Madrid ahead of Liverpool this summer after witnessing their surefire Champions League round of 16 victory over the Reds.
Jurgen Klopp’s men came out without putting a glove on the Whites when they were defeated 1-0 in the second leg at the Bernabéu, after being overwhelmed 5-2 in the first game at Anfield.
It was a damning reminder of where Liverpool stand as a team, and Man United legend Ferdinand feels it may have been the deciding factor for Dortmund’s Bellingham as they weigh their future.
The 19-year-old is one of the most sought-after players in Europe after putting on a series of mature and accomplished middle-of-the-park displays for both Dortmund and England in recent seasons.
Liverpool, Man City and Madrid are the main candidates to win the England international at the end of the season and Ferdinand said the lure of trophies in the Spanish capital may be enough to land him in La Liga.
Jude Bellingham may have been influenced to join Carlo Ancelotti’s Real Madrid after they beat Liverpool in the Champions League, says Rio Ferdinand.
Ferdinand feels that Bellingham will have seen that he can win more trophies if he goes to the Bernabéu
Liverpool’s loss to Madrid over two legs was a damning reminder of their current level.
He told BT Sport studio: “I think if you see that tonight, you’ll be sitting there thinking: ‘If Real Madrid is for me and Liverpool, there’s only one place I can go’, and they [Liverpool] not end up in the Champions League too maybe,’
As a player, nothing to do with my loyalties to United or Liverpool, you look at it coldly and say, “I see more trophies here.” [at Madrid]”.’
Former Liverpool stars Peter Crouch and Michael Owen couldn’t disagree with their fellow pundit, with the former saying Klopp’s team was a ‘transition’ side, which could be daunting for an in-demand star like Bellingham.
I don’t disagree with that. If you’re Jude Bellingham and you have a selection from a large number of clubs, and Liverpool are in transition at the moment, it may not be the right answer for him.
The Borussia Dortmund teenager is one of the most highly rated stars in Europe and several top teams are pursuing his signature.
Former Liverpool stars Michael Owen (left) and Peter Crouch (right) agreed that Liverpool may look like a less attractive proposition after their 6-2 aggregate defeat.
Owen, who has scored 158 times in 297 games for Liverpool, was concerned the club would not be an ‘exciting proposition’ if the team fail to secure Champions League football for next season. The club is currently in sixth place in the Premier League, six points behind fourth-placed Tottenham.
“You’re hanging your hat on maybe one or two additions to freshen it up,” he said.
“But the concern is that if Liverpool don’t make it to the Champions League then it won’t be an exciting proposition.” They probably won’t have the money to go and do it. We all know Liverpool aren’t awash in money, so I know there’s a kitty there, probably, to buy a Bellingham for £100m, maybe a little more.
“But if they don’t get into the Champions League, that will put a bit more pressure on the funds.”