Jude Bellingham: Where ‘generational talent’ will rank among England’s youngest players alongside Manchester United, Man City and Chelsea stars

An historic moment awaits as England face the Republic of Ireland in a friendly LIVE on talkSPORT tonight.

It should be a comfortable enough victory for the Three Lions but it could be a significant match for one player in particular.

Jude Bellingham, who’s been described as a ‘generational talent’, looks set to make his senior England debut at the tender age of 17 years and 137 days old.

He doesn’t start the clash but England boss Gareth Southgate suggested he could play some part later on.

“My initial conversation with him was that you’ll have a few days with us, we’ll involve you in the game, we’ll see how it goes, and that’s going to be a brilliant experience for him,” Southgate said.

“The bigger picture here is at times we select older players to come in to challenge directly for places.

“In this instance we are giving a young player an opportunity to work with us, to spend some time with us, invest some time with him. He’ll have a brilliant experience for a few days.

“Whether he stay with us for the full week, we’ll decide after the game.”

If Bellingham does get on he’ll become the third youngest player to represent England, behind record holder Theo Walcott and Wayne Rooney.

But how far off the record was Bellingham? Below you can see where he ranks and which other players he’ll beat if he plays against the Irish, or in any of England’s Nations League clashes against Belgium and Iceland.

Many have been aware of Bellingham’s talents before his England call-up. The midfielder attracted the attention of Manchester United but opted to join Borussia Dortmund from Birmingham in the summer.

His former boss at St Andrew’s, Pep Clotet, told talkSPORT that Bellingham is ready to be part of the Three Lions fold.

Clotet said: “I was very, very happy because I actually think he deserves it.

“I think it’s very good for the upcoming young English talent because the FA and all football in England is doing a very good job.

“I think that Jude achieved what he achieved last season, and now he’s made it into the Bundesliga and into the national team and it is wonderful for everyone.

“Gareth Southgate may have the same feeling I had last season; he might be feeling that he’s expressing himself well in training and he’s at that level.

“I applaud [Southgate] because he’s a manager who showed the future of the game is in the future of young talents coming in if they are at the level.

“England have done a superb job in all the levels in the youth, and there are a lot of players and Jude is possibly the tip of the iceberg.

“I’m sure he’s ready and will show it. He’s played in the Champions League, he’s played more than 40 games in the Championship last season. I have no doubts about him.”

Listen to full commentary of England vs Republic of Ireland LIVE on talkSPORT, kick-off 8pm