Jude Bellingham and Enzo Fernandez, two of the most expensive young midfielders in the world, will square up against one other for the first time in Borussia Dortmund vs. Chelsea.
Chelsea Online News:
Two of the best young players in the world will have the chance to compete tonight when Borussia Dortmund hosts Chelsea in the Champions League.
As the front-runners for young player of the World Cup in December, the two rising stars were destined to face off.
In the opening 6-2 thrashing of Iran, Bellingham scored his first goal for England and his first goal at the senior level.
Then, by providing an assist in a 3-0 victory over Senegal, the 19-year-old made history by becoming just the second youngster, after Michael Owen, to start a World Cup knockout game for the Three Lions.
On the other side of the draw, Fernandez curled in a stunning goal to beat Mexico and became the second-youngest World Cup goal scorer for Argentina ever, just behind Lionel Messi.
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Bellingham and Fernandez were the topics of conversation during the knockout stages.
Chelsea F.C. broke the British transfer record to sign Fernandez, but Simon Jordan believes Borussia Dortmund would seek at least £150 million for Bellingham if Fernandez cost that much.
“Obviously Dortmund are going to be sitting there rubbing their hands because of the situation that Liverpool now find themselves in,” he said on the White and Jordan show.
“If Liverpool can raise the cash, then I think it’s an interesting location for him to go because he can really be part of a regeneration, and with the legacy of that football club, and Jurgen Klopp in his pomp, I would like to see him there.
“I hate this conversation because of the ridiculous values put on footballers…
“But if you’re talking about this kid Fernandez going to Chelsea from Benfica for £105million, then you’re looking at Bellingham and all that goes with him and you’re starting to move into the territory of £125m or £150m.
“They won’t be asking for it on the drip, either. Dortmund will be saying, ‘We’ve got a load of suitors, so you pay it and you pay it now’.
The data demonstrate how well Bellingham and Fernandez partnership would compliment each other, and Chelsea is reportedly one of the teams interested in signing Bellingham.
Since making his Premier League debut, Fernandez has had the most touches (209), duels (12), tackles (9, 6 of which he won), and touches (209) of any Chelsea midfielder.
In contrast, Bellingham has thrived without Erling Haaland and leads Dortmund in goals scored with 10.