Speaking exclusively to BoyleSports, ex-Manchester United defender Phil Bardsley gives his insights into whether Jobe Bellingham and Jean Philipe Mateta could be shrewd signings for his former club,
Phil also discusses who could be in the frame for the Rangers’ job as well as his thoughts on the form of his former clubs Aston Villa, Stoke and Burnley.
Sunderland Perfect For Jobe Bellingham
What I’d say with Jobe Bellingham is that it looks like he has similar qualities to his brother and that is saying a lot. Jude went to Borussia Dortmund and had a great experience over there. I think that one more season, potentially in the Championship, would do Jobe a world of good.
I think he will really progress as a player and understand the game more with another season, he is still learning, and I think he is at the perfect club in Sunderland because they put demands on players while offering a promotion race and supporting their players.
Promotion this season would be an incredible experience for him, and he would be adored for life, but either way, he has a very bright future, and he doesn’t need to be in any rush. Sometimes transfers are out of your hands and I’m sure he has great advice, but at the minute I think that experience he is getting is so valuable.
Jobe To Manchester United?
Manchester United should be keeping tabs on Jobe Bellingham, look at how quickly Jude progressed and of course, there are similarities there. He might like to play a bit further forward, but he already looks outstanding and has plenty of time to learn and develop while clubs are looking at him.
The Championship is a demanding and tough league and if you can hold your own in that division at his age then there'll be plenty of clubs sniffing after you, especially looking at his brother and what he's gone on to do.
Mateta’s Rise and Prospects
Jean-Philippe Mateta has had a brilliant season; I think he's a catalyst for how good Crystal Palace have been in recent months. They've got some outstanding players, but he has been the standout player. He is big and strong; he is a clever finisher, and he is a proven goalscorer in the Premier League which is hard to come by. There are not too many out there.
You need experience in teams and although Manchester United should consider a bid, looking at the level that United need, I’m not sure he’d be the right player.
Barry Back At Rangers
Barry Ferguson is a huge character, and he knows the club inside out, he has got the call to take the reins of the team, and I think the players have the utmost respect for him. They have that respect thanks to his achievements at the club and I think his character is a perfect fit for the club.
There will be a transition period after Philippe Clement left, but they have gone back to basics and recent performances look to give them a 10x better chance in the Old Firm Derby against Celtic. The league is way out of sight, but they can get some confidence from the game to use in Europe after a brilliant first leg against Fenerbahce.
Gerrard’s Rangers Return?
If Steven Gerrard and Rafa Benitez both want the job then it depends on what the club are looking for, you have a proven pedigree around Europe which could be a decent fit for Benitez, or someone who has been there and done it before.
The new owners might have a say in the direction of the club, and it will be interesting to see how it plays out, but both are proven in their own ways.
Lampard Incredible At Coventry
Stranger things have happened in football than Frank Lampard going to Rangers. Frank had a tough time at Chelsea after Everton and some critics almost seemed to write him off, but since he has gone to Coventry he has been absolutely incredible, and it just goes to show what can happen when you find that right fit.
You are never too far from finding that fit and sometimes it just takes the right club and the right players buying into the philosophy. When it comes to Lampard and Rangers, you just never know in football, that’s the beauty of it, not knowing what to expect next. But I’m delighted with his season so far because he is a really good guy.
Villa’s Champions League Chances
One question over Aston Villa in the latter stages of the Champions League will be strength in depth. They are doing okay in the Premier League, and you think they will add to the squad in the summer, but playing Tuesday or Wednesday and then Saturday each week is so demanding,
The turnaround is hard on the body, and you have to respect all the athletes that can cope with that, there might be a lack of energy. But Unai Emery has done a remarkable job and does have some outstanding players, they are a force and could be an even better force next season.
Stoke’s Woes
It’s tough to watch what is going on at Stoke City at the moment, a lack of consistency, over a number of years and not getting the right people through the door. I think they have lost their identity a little bit with new managers and new ideas, I think they need to get the understanding back of what the football club is built on, hard work and desire.
I think Mark Robbins is a really good fit and his track record in the Championship is great, being unlucky with Coventry City, I think he is setting up the foundations and fundamentals at the moment and may need a couple of transfer windows to get the right players in with experience. It’s a tough league and it comes down to consistency, they need to find that again.”
Automatic Promotion for Burnley?
In the race for automatic promotion, I think Leeds United and Sheffield United have got so much experience at the level, it’s going to be hard for Burnley to get above them and stay there. Having said that, with Scott Parker at the helm, they won’t give up believing or fighting, they have a great group of players and will give it everything.
They battered Luton at the weekend and look strong both home and away, it’ll be interesting to see if two of my former clubs get into the playoff places.
If Sunderland play Burnley I’ll have to sit on the halfway line.
Competitive Playoffs
It could be the most competitive play-offs ever this year, looking at what Frank Lampard has done with Coventry and their form, they probably cannot wait for the next game at the moment. It’s all about form in the playoffs and if they can carry on, they will give themselves a hell of a chance.”
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