Former Manchester United midfielder Paul Scholes has hailed Jude Bellingham for snubbing the Red Devils for a career outside of England.
The Real Madrid and England star has been one of European football’s stand-out performers this season, helping the Spanish giants to open a two-point lead at the top of the La Liga table and their Champions League group.
The 20-year-old joined Madrid for an £ 89 million deal in the summer and has scored ten goals in as many games across all competitions for Los Blancos.
His performance has earned him plaudits from across the globe, with Paul Scholes the latest name to heap praise on the ex-Birmingham City star.
The former England midfielder claims Bellingham is ‘better than anything we’ve seen.’
“I think Jude Bellingham, for his age and what he’s accomplished so far in his short career, he’s better than anything we’ve seen,” Scholes told TNT Sports.
“We [Manchester United] were very close to signing him, but he decided to go to Borussia Dortmund, which looks the right thing from what’s happened over the past couple of years.
“It was a really brave move for him, but he looks such a driven lad, such a determined lad, such a professional player with so much talent. It’s incredible, but he’s got the temperament to go with it. Nothing seems to faze him.”
Scholes also labelled Bellingham’s match-winning attributes as the reason why he stands head and shoulders above a host of other midfield stars.
“He’s gone to one of the biggest clubs in the world in Real Madrid, and he’s just cracking on like he’s playing for Birmingham,” he added.
“He just stands out that much. He’s scoring goals. He’s playing in a higher position for Real Madrid, where Ancelotti probably sees him.
“He’s a winner. He affects games of football. There’s just so many midfield players these days who think they’re playing well if they keep 75-80 per cent possession but don’t score a goal don’t make a goal.
“He wins you games of football, and that’s why he’s at a club like Real Madrid and hopefully, in years to come, he’ll be doing it for England as well.”
