Jude Bellingham to return to Birmingham City? When Clinton Morrison thinks it could happen | OneFootball

Jude Bellingham departed Birmingham City in 2020 to sign for Borussia Dortmund

Jude Bellingham came through the ranks of the Birmingham City academy system before making the move to Borussia Dortmund in 2020.

The midfielder signed for the German giants in a deal worth a reported £22.5 million at the age of just 17.

The England international made 41 appearances in the Championship prior to his move to the Bundesliga, contributing four goals and two assists, with the Blues finishing 20th in the table. His impact, however, was seismic and would see Blues elect to retire his shirt number after just one senior season in the Second City.

Bellingham spent three years at Borussia Dortmund before joining Real Madrid in a big money move worth an initial £88.5 million.

The 22-year-old has already won one La Liga title for Los Blancos, and has made 78 appearances in the Spanish top flight.

The former Birmingham star is one of the biggest stars in the game, and will be hoping to play a key role for England in the World Cup in North America this summer, provided he is available for selection.

Clinton Morrison makes Birmingham return claim

Clinton Morrison has suggested that Bellingham will make his return to Birmingham someday, but that it likely won’t be until much later in his career, even if the club achieves its ambition of returning to the Premier League.

He believes that Bellingham’s focus will be on Real Madrid for quite a long time, but that by the time he is 31 or 32 he may be open to a return to the Midlands outfit, if they can consolidate their position in the top flight by then.

“It just depends, doesn’t it? You never know,” said Morrison, via GOAL.

“He’s still at a decent age. Birmingham have to get to the Premier League first.

“They need to get there and then be in the Premier League. And then, even then, you’ve got consolidation.

“It’s so different from the Championship.

“You can have all the money in the world, but if the players aren’t gelling or you don’t have the right manager, you’re going to struggle.

“So I think Jude’s focus will be on staying at Real Madrid for as long as possible.

“And if it comes when he gets to 30, 31, 32 and he wants to come home — I’m sure Birmingham City will take Jude Bellingham back.”

Fitness issues have caused Bellingham to only feature 19 times in La Liga so far this season, with Alvaro Arbeloa’s side second in the table.

The Spanish giants are four points behind their bitter rivals with just seven games to go, and they are also set to compete in the quarter finals of the Champions League.

Bellingham returned to the team for the Madrid derby prior to the March international break, coming off the bench in a 3-2 win for his first appearance in over a month.

Meanwhile, Birmingham are 11th in the Championship table, but are 10 points adrift of the play-offs with just seven games remaining.

Chris Davies’ side have won just one of their last six league fixtures, leaving them all but out of contention for a top six finish.

Next up for the Blues is a home clash against relegation-threatened Blackburn Rovers on 3 April in a 3pm kick-off.

Jude Bellingham Birmingham return could be on the cards down the line

If Birmingham are able to meet their ambitions and consolidate their place back in the Premier League, then there’s every reason to believe Bellingham could come back.

It won’t be for several years at this point, unless the Midlands outfit can suddenly afford a big money deal with Real Madrid and can offer Champions League football.

But any kind of return would be welcome by supporters at this stage, as he is very well remembered by fans even though he only actually spent one season in the team.

He has gone on to achieve incredible things since leaving Birmingham, including playing in a Champions League final, and he has done the club proud with the level of performance he’s reached away from St. Andrew’s.