Toni Kroos believes Jude Bellingham is a “incredibly mature” player who has already proven to be a “absolute asset” to Real Madrid.
The 20-year-old England international, who cost €103 million (£88 million; $110 million) to move from Borussia Dortmund to the Spanish capital in the summer, has already earned the nickname “blue-eyed boy” among the supporters after scoring three goals in his first two league games.
With his movement in the attacking third, Bellingham has shown to be a challenge for opposing defenders, and his contribution has ensured that Real Madrid is not in goal drought despite the departure of talismanic forward Karim Benzema.
The seasoned midfielder Kroos is ecstatic about Bellingham’s contribution and views him as a “absolute asset” to the team.
“It was indicated in the preparation, where he did really well. He’s integrated surprisingly well in such a short time,” Kroos said on his podcast Einfach mal Luppen. “I have a very good feeling about him because I think he’s incredibly mature for his age – not just mentally, that he’s already very far, but also with the way he plays football. He’s very, very far, doesn’t do hara-kiri things, is always clear in his actions, works, tries to play to his strengths to the full.
“A lot of other people at that age still make a lot of hara-kiri, a lot of technical and tactical mistakes. You don’t see that much with him. So far I have to say that he is already an absolute asset to our game. That means something, because we’re not a completely blind team. The fact that a 20-year-old enriches us right from the start is a good sign.”
It had been reported that Borussia Dortmund players are glad about Bellingham’s exit as the midfielder allegedly always wanted to be the centre of attention. However, Kroos does not agree and instead insists that the squad is “quite happy” with his behaviour.
“I can only give you our perspective. And I can say that we are quite happy that he is here. Should that also be the case in Dortmund: all the better. If not, at least they got good money now,” he said.
Bellingham will try to maintain his strong run of performance as Real Madrid plays Celta Vigo in their upcoming La Liga match on Friday night.