JUDE BELLINGHAM named fellow Englishman Jamie Bynoe-Gittens as his heir apparent to the Golden Boy award when the Real Madrid star won it in December.
This weekend, wonderkid Bynoe-Gittens could beat his old Borussia Dortmund man to claim club football’s most prized prize when they meet in the Champions League final.
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Bynoe-Gittens, 19, could well be one of the most exciting young English talents that many fans in this country are unaware of.
That’s because he never played professionally for a club here, opting to follow Jadon Sancho’s path, joining Dortmund straight from Manchester City’s academy.
An equally complicated full-back, Bynoe-Gittens shares the same agent as Sancho and looked up to the 24-year-old as a youngster, as well as Brazilians Ronaldo and Kylian Mbappe.
Of course, the two are now teammates in Dortmund’s first team since Sancho joined on loan from Manchester United in January.
Born in Reading, Bynoe-Gittens’ initial love of football came from playing “Wembley” in the primary school playground, a game involving a goal, a goalkeeper and a bunch of individual outfield players, where the aim is to score. goals and have fun.
He is a success story of allowing children to enjoy sport without pressure – at a time when some parents take things too seriously if their children show a hint of talent.
Martyn Beney coached Bynoe-Gittens from the age of seven at local club Caversham Trents, who also produced women’s star Fran Kirby.
The 49-year-old said SunSport: “A month into training with us, we were thinking, ‘Oh my God, this kid has so much skill.’ His dribbling was incredible, even at six years old.
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“Jamie was a shy kid behind the scenes with a really nice, sporty family, but they didn’t pressure him.
“They said they wanted him to be trained in a way where he could have fun, learn a few things along the way and be able to develop naturally. That’s exactly what we did.
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“We quickly realized he was a goalscorer and scored a ridiculous number of goals.
“But he was happy to play anywhere. He even went for the goal sometimes and it wasn’t bad!
“He was very small so he got thrown a few times, but he was a decent defender and very brave.”
Bynoe-Gittens left Caversham to join Reading, where his tricks and moves could flourish without stress.
Recalling that carefree moment in a recent interview, he said: “It was just going out there and trying to tear up the person in front of me.
“Take a step back, make him ashamed. That was my mindset at that time.”
But it was at Manchester City’s academy, after a spell at Chelsea and then back at Reading, that he began to think more like a professional.
His train to City would take three hours, so he would stay with a host family there and join a new school in Manchester. The distance was difficult for him and his family.
He was highly rated at City, but in 2020 he moved to Dortmund, believing it would provide him with a quicker path to the first team.
After a month of training with us, we were thinking, ‘Oh my God, this kid has so much skill.’ His dribbling was incredible, even at six years old.
Martin Beney
The teenager would be right, but it brought challenges beyond simply adapting to a new league and a new country.
Germany was in lockdown when he arrived due to Covid-19, and he was stuck in youth accommodation on the academy campus, which he admitted was “difficult”.
He also suffered numerous injuries, mainly shoulder problems, dating back to when he was 14 years old.
Bynoe-Gittens had surgery on both joints, so she hopes the problems have been resolved.
The winger was part of England’s triumphant U19 Euro campaign two years ago, starting the 3-1 victory over Israel in the final alongside the recent senior call-up. Jarell Quansah.
Bynoe-Gittens had already made his debut for Dortmund, but had difficulty adapting to the increased amount of running required in men’s football, especially in Germany.
He also had to curb his sweet tooth in his bid to reach the top, confessing: “When I was younger, I always ate chocolate and sweets.
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“I had to cut it. Now I try to avoid sugar as much as I can.”
He now has a chef at home and his improved diet has helped him thrive, making 57 appearances and scoring five goals for Dortmund three months before his 20th birthday.
His German is also developing well, after three and a half years of three lessons a week, and he is even conducting parts of some interviews in it.
Although the England Under-21 star, who impressed his national team with his burning desire to improve, still can’t say the word ‘right’ (‘recht’)!
It would be correct to assume that Borussia coach Edin Terzic will place Bynoe-Gittens on the bench for the Champions League final.
I just went there and tried to tear up the person in front of me. Take a step back, make him ashamed. That was my mindset at that time.
Jamie Bynoe-Gittens
But the youngster has shown enough this term to suggest he can be trusted if signed.
Most notably in the 3-1 victory over AC Milan in the group stage, when he put his team ahead with a calm and accurate finish.
Instead of playing at Wembley as he did as a child, the teenager will play at AT Wembley as that is where the UEFA final will be held.
It will be the end of a journey, which made those who played their part in it proud.
Beney added: “To see him develop and have this opportunity, which we all know are tiny percentages, at a local level, where his parents still live in the village, is a delight.
“Having mentors like Jadon Sancho and Jude Bellingham, who was actually the first one to tell reporters, ‘Watch out for this kid, he’s next’ and knowing he started with us, it’s great. It’s a very beautiful story and one that the club is very proud of.”
Meet Jude Bellingham’s gorgeous girlfriend, lingerie model Laura Celia Valk
By Jon Boon
LAURA CELIA VALK is the stunning Dutch model who stole Jude Bellingham’s heart.
The Sun exclusively revealed that she is staying at his house in Madrid and is completely in love with him.
Laura has a large social media following and regularly travels the world, enjoying a luxurious lifestyle.
From modeling underwear to showcasing the latest Pretty Little Thing, she regularly collaborates with fashion houses around the world.
Wherever she is, Laura makes a point of stopping by Chanel – her favorite designer.
She is also a foodie, with pizza and strawberries being her favorites.
It won’t be long before we see her at the Bernabéu enjoying a shrimp sandwich!
Learn more about Laura.
Or read the latest news from Jude Bellingham.
This story originally appeared on The-sun.com read the full story
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