Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola hails Jude Bellingham transfer decision

Pep Guardiola does not think Jude Bellingham would be the player that he is if he had moved to another English club instead of signing for Borussia Dortmund.

The Englishman, who looks set to become the subject of intense transfer speculation next summer, moved from Birmingham to Dortmund at the age of just 17 years-old for a world-record fee in 2020.

Guardiola was seriously impressed when he came across a 17-year-old Bellingham in the Champions League quarter-finals in 2021 and his opinion has only improved in the years since.

As Manchester City prepare to take on the Bundesliga heavyweights once again, manager Pep Guardiola was full of praise for the England midfielder.

“I think Dortmund is a perfect place for young talented players to come,” said Guardiola.

“Maybe if Jude Bellingham had gone to City, United, Liverpool, Arsenal, Chelsea or Tottenham, the top teams in England, he wouldn’t get the minutes. The best way for a young player to get better is play minutes.

“I said when he was 17, it wasn’t just the quality, he had a special mentality. He is already one of the captains of the team, to happen at 19 is quite impressive.

“It’s not just about the goals, the whole package is really good. He’s already in the national team playing with them at 19. That is quite impressive. We know the quality he has but we will try to impose our quality on the game and win the game.”