Mats Hummels: Jude Bellingham the most mature 18 year old player I have ever seen

Mats Hummels has heaped big praise on Jude Bellingham, calling the Borussia Dortmund midfielder the most mature 18 year old he has ever seen. 

Jude Bellingham has developed into one of the best young midfielders in the world since joining Borussia Dortmund from Birmingham City in 2020. The 18 year old continues to get better with every game, and Mats Hummels has become the latest player to praise him.

In an interview with DAZN following Borussia Dortmund’s game against Union Berlin on Sunday, Hummels said:

"“He is the most mature 18-year-old player I have ever seen. Jude is already someone who leads the way and he’s also one of the loudest in the team. He’s a great kid, I think I’ve told him about 25 times now that I just love him.”"

Bellingham has enjoyed an excellent start to the season and has established himself as one of the first names on the Borussia Dortmund team sheet. He also played an instrumental role in the Black and Yellows’ UEFA Champions League win over Besiktas last week, as he scored one goal and set up another for Erling Haaland.

Hummels was also full of praise of Haaland, who scored a brace to lead Borussia Dortmund to a 4-2 win over Union Berlin on Sunday. The BVB centre-back believes that Haaland will be one of the top three strikers in the world for the next 15 years.

"“Erling is just a goalscoring machine. Whenever he sees a chance to put the ball in the back of the net, his eyes light up. He’s going to be one of the top three strikers in the world for the next 15 years.”"

When Haaland joined Borussia Dortmund, heading the ball was considered to be one of his biggest weaknesses. But he is now improving on that and has scored from headers in each of his side’s last two league games. And Hummels added that the striker is getting better and better by working hard on his weaknesses. “He’s got so many strengths, and he’s also working on his weaknesses,” Hummels said.

Haaland has scored 68 goals in just 67 appearances since joining Borussia Dortmund from RB Salzburg in January 2020. Eleven of those goals have come this season in just eight appearances.