Birmingham’s 16-year-old midfielder earns £145 a week but is showing a value that is no surprise to those who know himNot too many 16-year-olds are the subject of dizzying YouTube compilations but, then again, few teenagers make the kind of splash Jude Bellingham has at Birmingham City. Since making his senior debut at Fratton Park in August, breaking Trevor Francis’s record as the club’s youngest player, the midfielder has captained England Under-17s and belied his years to blossom into a first-team regular in the Championship, cementing his place as one of the country’s most exciting prospects.But Bellingham is more than a potion of potential because he is performing now; he has scored four goals in 32 appearances and started six of Birmingham’s past eight league matches. Technically, he is a first-year scholar earning £145 a week, unable to sign a professional contract until he turns 17 in June. Those who work with Bellingham highlight his bite, work ethic and notably the physical strides he has made over the past months – his manager, Pep Clotet, revealed Bellingham had grown 2.4cm since the start of the season – and there is a sense he will end up as a No 8, though he has thrived on both flanks. From a very young age his intelligence and competitive streak stood out to academy staff and, towards the end of last season, Bellingham was slowly exposed to the first-team environment before being named in Clotet’s squad for a pre-season camp in Portugal. Related: Wenger's offside plans offer sense but not the whole VAR solution Highlights: Fulham U23s 1-2 #BCFCu23sA Geraldo Bajrami free-kick and a fantastic solo effort from Jude Bellingham helped fire Blues to victory in their latest Premier League Cup clash at Motspur Park. Check out the best bits #BCFC pic.twitter.com/TTC59zGwfe Continue readingreadfullarticle
