Frank Lampard discusses Chelsea’s response to Birmingham City’s £20 million transfer request

Frank Lampard has revealed he tried to take Jude Bellingham to Chelsea during his first stint as Stamford Bridge boss.

Bellingham was in-demand back in 2020 after his only season in the Birmingham City first team at the age of 16. The world’s biggest clubs queued up to sign Bellingham before he opted for Borussia Dortmund.

Manchester United’s interest was public knowledge and Bellingham was even given a tour of their facilities and met legendary former manager Sir Alex Ferguson. But he decided to move to Germany and continue his development with Dortmund.

Chelsea were never major players in the race for Bellingham, despite Lampard’s best efforts. According to Lampard, he identified Bellingham as a target for Chelsea but the club’s bosses refused to pay the £20million asking price.

Speaking to the Obi One Podcast, Lampard said: “When I was managing at Chelsea I was desperate to bring Jude Bellingham in. But I couldn’t get it through upstairs – the idea of paying £20m for someone his age (at the time)…”

Chelsea must be regretting that short-sightedness now. Stourbridge-born Bellingham, 20, is the star of England and Real Madrid, and he recently claimed the Kopa Trophy for the best under-21 player in the world at the prestigious Ballon d’Or ceremony.