Warnock reminisces about Bellingham's astonishing performance at 16
Neil Warnock, the old codger, can't help but gush about the time he witnessed a 16-year-old Jude Bellingham absolutely boss the midfield against his Cardiff City side. The kid was something else, mate. He had no right to be that good at 16, but there he was, running the show like a seasoned pro.
Bellingham's rise to the top
Bellingham's come a long way since then, haven't he? From Birmingham City's youngest ever first-team player to signing for Borussia Dortmund and now strutting his stuff for Real Madrid. The kid's won LaLiga and the Champions League, and he's only 20! It's mental, mate. He's proven himself to be one of the best midfielders in the world, and it's no wonder Warnock's still gobsmacked by what he saw that day.
Handling young talents like Bellingham and Dowman
Now, Arsenal's got their own little prodigy in Max Dowman. The 15-year-old's been turning heads in pre-season, and Arteta's called him "special". But Warnock's got a warning for the Gunners: don't let it go to the kid's head. He needs proper guidance and support to reach his potential.
Warnock reckons modern football's too focused on data and computers, and not enough on the human element. He thinks good old-fashioned man management is what'll get the best out of young talents like Dowman. And you know what? He might be onto something there, mate.
The beautiful game's always changing, but some things never do. Raw talent, hard work, and the right guidance can take a player from a teenage sensation to a world-class superstar. Bellingham's done it, and with the right support, Dowman could be next. It's a wild ride, but that's footy for you, innit?
