‘Just like Haaland’ – Man City backed to sign player who’ll be ‘first on the team sheet’
Noel Whelan has insisted Jude Bellingham will be a regular starter at Man City if he joins.
Speaking exclusively to Football Insider, the former Leeds United striker suggested Bellingham is like Erling Haaland and City could not afford to leave him out of the starting XI.
Bellingham, 19, has impressed during the World Cup and a move away from Borussia Dortmund in the summer looks to be on the cards despite his contract running until 2025.
Speaking to BBC Sport (7 December), the midfielder revealed that he is still in regular contract with his former Dortmund teammate Haaland.
The 19-year-old added that the Man City striker has been “really encouraging” of the youngster’s run in the World Cup.
Pep Guardiola’s side is hopeful that the Etihad will be his chosen destination given his good relationship with Haaland.
Whelan suggested Bellingham would be City’s next Haaland.
“I do not think anybody would go and pay a substantial amount of money for a player like that without starting them.
“It is just like Haaland. He is that much of an important player in football matches and Bellingham would be in the same bracket. I do not think he is a player you can actually leave out.
“Yes they have got Kalvin Phillips as well so that would make them one hell of a strong midfield. That competition for playing spots would be huge.
“But if you are going to push for Bellingham he has got to start every single game. He has got to be first or second on the team sheet.“
The Sky Blues face tough competition from Liverpool in the race to sign Bellingham.
An on Saturday (10 December), sources told this site that Liverpool are close to securing the sensational signing of Bellingham in the summer window.
In other news, a pundit has told Man City to sell Jack Grealish to fund two ‘massive’ new deals.