Pep Guardiola claims "brilliant" Real Madrid star has "a long career ahead of him"

After bursting onto the scene at boyhood club Birmingham City before spending three highly successful years developing into a key player at Borussia Dortmund, Bellingham decided to join Real Madrid for a reported £88m last summer.

The 20-year-old, who was linked with a number of English clubs including Man City before joining Real Madrid, has taken to the Spanish top flight by storm in his debut campaign with Los Blancos, and he is currently the joint-top scorer in La Liga with 16 goals in 23 appearances.

Bellingham has contributed with a total of 20 goals and 10 assists in 32 matches across all competitions this term, including four goals and four assists in six Champions League outings.

The 29-cap England international, who has been operating as an advanced midfielder under Carlo Ancelotti, is expected to start on Tuesday when Real Madrid welcome Man City to the Santiago Bernabeu.

Ahead of the contest, Guardiola has heaped praise on Bellingham's intelligence as a footballer and believes that the midfielder has a bright future ahead of him.

Speaking at a press conference on Monday evening, Guardiola said: «He played as a 17-year-old once or twice when we face Borussia Dortmund and I said, not just the skills, but the difference is what he has in his brain and his mind.

»He came to this club with exceptional players and manager like Carlo [Ancelotti] who has the incredible ability to know the best position and Carlo found it, so he clicked quick.

«He's done an