{"id":7010,"date":"2026-10-06T19:23:27","date_gmt":"2026-10-06T19:23:27","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/footballars.xyz\/?p=7010"},"modified":"2026-10-06T19:23:27","modified_gmt":"2026-10-06T19:23:27","slug":"rio-ferdinand-suggests-jude-bellingham-has-already-surpassed-chelsea-legend-frank-lampard","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/footballars.xyz\/?p=7010","title":{"rendered":"Rio Ferdinand suggests Jude Bellingham has already surpassed Chelsea legend Frank Lampard"},"content":{"rendered":"


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The criticism of Jude Bellingham ahead of the World Cup felt ridiculous at the time. Now, he\u2019s proven he is as important to this side as Harry Kane, and Rio Ferdinand has compared him to Frank Lampard.<\/strong><\/p>\n

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<\/a> starred for England at the World Cup. He\u2019s back to his best.<\/p>\n

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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.<\/p>\n

Rio Ferdinand believes Jude Bellingham has surpassed Lampard<\/h2>\n

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.<\/p>\n

Ahead of England\u2019s 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<\/a> discussed Bellingham\u2019s form on his YouTube<\/a> channel.<\/p>\n

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If you could pick Chelsea\u2019s next no.10, would you have Bellingham or Rogers?<\/h3>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n
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Comparing Bellingham to Lampard<\/a> 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.<\/p>\n

\u201cMr. Jude Bellingham, if you compare what he\u2019s done at 23 to other legends; Steven Gerrard was just named Liverpool captain at 23. Frank Lampard joined Chelsea 6 days before turning 23,\u201d Ferdinand said.<\/p>\n

\u201cZidane made his France debut at 22, Xavi was just about to become a key player for Barcelona and didn\u2019t win his first UCL until 26. I\u2019m not saying he\u2019s better than these, but at 23 NONE of them can look at him.\u201d<\/p>\n

Frank Lampard pushed Chelsea to sign Jude Bellingham<\/h2>\n

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\u2019s eye.<\/p>\n

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<\/a> to get him on John Obi Mikel\u2019s podcast<\/a>.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhen I was managing at Chelsea (first time) I was desperate to bring Jude Bellingham in. But I couldn\u2019t get it through upstairs \u2013 the idea of paying \u00a320m for someone his age (at the time)\u2026\u201d Lampard said.<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

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