Aston Villa fan Stan Collymore makes England admission that Birmingham City fans will love

Ahead of England’s Euro 2024 qualifier against Italy this evening (October 17), Stan Collymore has said he believes Jude Bellingham can become England’s greatest ever midfielder.

Former Aston Villa player and fan Collymore sang the praises of of the former Birmingham City star, who he believes is primed to end England’s hunt for silverware while becoming the best midfielder in the world over the next seven years.

Speaking to the Lord Ping website, Stan also discussed why Gareth Southgate will be spoken of in the same category as Sir Alf Ramsey and what he thinks is the only thing that can stop England from being crowned European Champions this summer.

He said: “It’s been several years since we’ve had a midfielder who can do everything and that is what Bellingham is progressing towards. There are areas of his game that can be improved, but he is very good at everything.

“If he can develop his game further, and he will, then he will go and will become a world-class talent for years to come. He will be spoken of in the same breath as players like Steven Gerrard, Frank Lampard, Paul Gascoigne, but he has the ability and the potential to surpass them.”

He added: “I’m just delighted that he is English. With the European Championships and the World Cup on the horizon, which culturally won’t be too different to what he’s used to, then looking further ahead to a European Championship on home soil (2028) where he will be 25, everything is looking tailor-made for him to dominate these tournaments and be the best player in the world in his position.

“I’d be disappointed When the 2028 European Championships come around and a twenty-five year old Bellingham doesn’t captain England to lifting the trophy. I would be absolutely stunned if Jude wasn’t wearing the armband at that point.”