Jude Bellingham named in England U21 squad for September's European Championship qualifiers against Kosovo and Austria
Jude Bellingham has been called into the England U21 call-up years ahead of schedule. If his seamless adaptation to life at Borussia Dortmund is anything to go by, the 17-year-old will take the latest milestone of a career packed full of promise in his stride.
"To be honest, I do not feel any pressure. The pressure I put myself under is bigger than any price tag."
Bellingham spoke with all the confidence of a player who had just became the most-expensive 17-year-old in football history on his arrival in Germany in July, and his actions since have been punctuated by the same degree of surety.
Here, with the help of Sky Germany reporter Jesco von Eichmann, we assess Bellingham's start to life at Dortmund and why that will fill Aidy Boothroyd with optimism ahead of a potential England U21 debut in September.
Many, far more experienced players, have taken their eye off the ball after putting pen to paper on a transfer of life-changing proportions and allowed the magnitude of a big-money move get to their heads. But not Bellingham.
Instead of marking the completion of a journey, it was apparent early on that signing for Dortmund was just the beginning of a greater process of development.
"I want to get as many minutes of play as ราคาบอลไหล - even in the big games," Bellingham outlined from the get-go. "I want to provide assists, score goals and perform well."
In the month that has passed since those encouraging words were spoken, Bellingham participated in a gruelling Dortmund pre-season training camp before seizing the chance to show what he can do in a competitive environment.
He featured in Dortmund's three pre-season victories over Rheindorf Altach, Austria Wien and MSV Duisburg - won by an aggregate score of 22-3 - and has wasted no time in delivering on the promises he outlined at his unveiling.
"Jude Bellingham played like he was born in Black and Yellow," von Eichmann explains. "He has made a positive impression through his whole time at Borussia Dortmund.
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