‘I stand by saying Liverpool star could be better than Bellingham!' (original) (raw)

Jude Bellingham has grown into one of the game's elite players but Liverpool's Ryan Gravenberch has been backed to potentially top the Real Madrid and England star

Jude Bellingham recently won the Champions League with Real Madrid

Rafael van der Vaart stands by the fact he believes Ryan Gravenberch could be a better player than Jude Bellingham.

The Real Madrid star has enjoyed a rapid rise since emerging as a teenage sensation at Birmingham City, going on to excel with Borussia Dortmund before his switch to the Spanish capital. With Los Blancos he's just claimed La Liga and Champions League glory amid talk of a Ballon d'Or win.

Despite those exploits Van der Vaart reckons Liverpool's Dutch midfielder, who has looked a player reborn this season, can exceed Bellingham's level. Gravenberch was highly-rated at Ajax but a transfer to Bayern Munich didn't work out, before his move to Anfield.

Gravenberch has looked accomplished in the early weeks of the season and has continued that good form whilst on international duty, further impressing his compatriot.

He told BetMGM : “I took quite a lot of stick when I said Ryan Gravenberch has the potential to be better than Jude Bellingham a year or so ago, but I stand by it. I’ve always said the sky's the limit for him if he can use his full potential and ability, so I’m not surprised by how good he’s been this season both for Liverpool and the Netherlands.

“ Arne Slot has found a spot for him in the team at Liverpool and he’s thriving – you just have to look at the pass he played against Germany on Tuesday to show this is a player who has everything required to go right to the top. He’s strong, quick and intelligent – Liverpool fans should be very excited about what’s to come.”

Bellingham is viewed as a generational talent with the Three Lions and has looked assured at international level, despite having a somewhat underwhelming Euros.

Ryan Gravenberch has excelled a stellar start to the season (

Image:

PAUL ELLIS/AFP via Getty Images)

Gravenberch's display against the Germans earlier this week had Van der Vaart purring. The ex-Tottenham midfield joked he was ready "to go home" after seeing one pass from the Liverpool star, adamant he wouldn't see a better moment in the game.

Holland boss Ronald Koeman has also noticed huge improvements in the player, suggesting the "penny has dropped" after previous issues with the player. Gravenberch himself has cited subtle changes made by Arne Slot which have aided his improvement this term.

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