Rio Ferdinand suggests Jude Bellingham has already surpassed Chelsea legend Frank Lampard
The criticism of Jude Bellingham ahead of the World Cup felt ridiculous at the time. Now, he’s proven he is as important to this side as Harry Kane, and Rio Ferdinand has compared him to Frank Lampard.
After a tricky 2025-26 season with Real Madrid in which he only scored six La Liga goals and was largely interrupted by niggling injury, Bellingham starred for England at the World Cup. He’s back to his best.
This season, a different story. In 11 appearances for Real Madrid and England, Bellingham has had a hand in 11 goals. Four goals of his own, while laying on seven assists. Finally, Bellingham is earning huge praise.
Rio Ferdinand believes Jude Bellingham has surpassed Lampard
Bellingham is still 23, which is remarkable in itself. He has played 59 times for England, scoring 14 and creating 15 more. This is a player who has already clocked up 324 club appearances for three teams.
Ahead of England’s clash against Czechia on Tuesday night, Bellingham is in line to win his 60th cap and could secure his 30th goal or assist. Rio Ferdinand discussed Bellingham’s form on his YouTube channel.
If you could pick Chelsea’s next no.10, would you have Bellingham or Rogers?
Comparing Bellingham to Lampard at 23, Ferdinand believes the Madrid star has surpassed the Chelsea icon. The former Man United star also believes he has overtaken Steven Gerrard and Zinedine Zidane.
“Mr. Jude Bellingham, if you compare what he’s done at 23 to other legends; Steven Gerrard was just named Liverpool captain at 23. Frank Lampard joined Chelsea 6 days before turning 23,” Ferdinand said.
“Zidane made his France debut at 22, Xavi was just about to become a key player for Barcelona and didn’t win his first UCL until 26. I’m not saying he’s better than these, but at 23 NONE of them can look at him.”
Frank Lampard pushed Chelsea to sign Jude Bellingham
Things could have been very different for Bellingham. Of course, the England superstar came through at Birmingham and after 44 senior outings, he joined Dortmund. His form in Germany caught Madrid’s eye.
But while at Birmingham, Bellingham could have easily joined a Premier League club instead of going abroad. Indeed, Lampard said he had tried to convince Chelsea to get him on John Obi Mikel’s podcast.
“When I was managing at Chelsea (first time) I was desperate to bring Jude Bellingham in. But I couldn’t get it through upstairs – the idea of paying £20m for someone his age (at the time)…” Lampard said.
Understandable at the time, given it was a lot of money and quite the risk spending so big on a player that might not make it. At Dortmund, he joined the perfect club to allow him to continue developing.
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