Sebastian Kehl: Borussia Dortmund want to keep Jude Bellingham as long as possible

Borussia Dortmund Sporting Director Sebastian Kehl has commented on the club’s intentions regarding Jude Bellingham, stating that they want to keep the English international at the club for as long as possible.

Much has been made of the situation surrounding Jude Bellingham ahead of this coming summer. The English international has gone from strength to strength while wearing Borussia Dortmund’s colors, and outside interest has certainly put the club in a position where there is a need to discuss the player’s future.

According to Sebastian Kehl however, there are “no new developments” to discuss at this time. In a media round on Monday (via Ruhr Nachrichten), the former BVB captain did reveal that the club will do their best to keep Bellingham for as long as possible:

"“…of course we’ll try to keep Jude Bellingham at Borussia Dortmund as long as possible, because he’s an incredibly important player who has shown once again this season how he identifies with this club and makes the team better.”"

Jude Bellingham has been one of Borussia Dortmund’s hardest working players for some time now, with that effort being rewarded with the captaincy whenever Marco Reus or Mats Hummels are not on the pitch. This, as mentioned on numerous occasions now, is a testament to his maturity and ability to handle the responsibility of being a leader on the pitch.

Kehl also touched on the parallels between Bellingham’s current situation and the transfers of Erling Haaland and Jadon Sancho, stating that the club will always aim to keep players of this caliber, but the market also plays a role in whether they have the ability to do so long-term:

"“Things develop because of market mechanisms. From there, of course, I make my thoughts and also have my wishful thinking…From Borussia Dortmund’s point of view, the ideal situation would be to keep a player of this quality at the club for as long as possible. I would also like to have Erling Haaland or Jadon Sancho at Borussia Dortmund…We will always do everything we can to keep players of this quality at BVB – because we are ambitious, because we want to win titles.”"

Borussia Dortmund’s chances of winning titles this season have seen a marked increase since the end of the extended winter break. They currently sit third in the Bundesliga, three points behind Bayern Munich. Die Schwarzgelben also recently dispatched VFL Bochum in the DFB Pokal, bringing them one step closer towards possibly winning the domestic cup. They also have a chance to progress in the Champions League if they play to their potential against a faltering Chelsea side in the coming weeks.

If Borussia Dortmund are indeed to secure victories, and possibly titles in the coming months, Kehl is certainly correct in stating that players of Jude Bellingham’s caliber will be critical in doing so. There is indeed the possibility that should BVB indeed go on to secure titles this season, that this may possibly play a role in any decision Bellingham makes regarding his future in the summer. In performing this season and persevering in securing silverware, Dortmund may be able to secure future success by making Bellingham a long-term mainstay in a team that is finally showing signs of living up to it’s potential.