Jude Bellingham’s ‘maturity’ leaves Toni Kroos stunned

Real Madrid midfielder Toni Kroos says he has been left surprised by Jude Bellingham’s quick adaptation to life in Spain following his transfer.

The England international joined Madrid this summer from German club Borussia Dortmund and has hit the ground running already.

Bellingham has two goals and an assist to his name in two league appearances against Athletic Bilbao and UD Almeria.

Kroos talked extensively about the Englishman and revealed the one essential attribute that has struck him the most on his podcast Einfach mal Luppen.

Kroos went on to say that the midfielder’s maturity is evident not just in his behaviour off the pitch, but also in his conduct on it.

“It was indicated in the preparation, where he did really well. He’s integrated surprisingly well in such a short time,” Kroos said.

“I have a very good feeling about him because I think he’s incredibly mature for his age – not just mentally, that he’s already very far, but also with the way he plays football. He’s very, very far, doesn’t do hara-kiri things, is always clear in his actions, works, tries to play to his strengths to the full.

“A lot of other people at that age still make a lot of hara-kiri, a lot of technical and tactical mistakes. You don’t see that much with him. So far I have to say that he is already an absolute asset to our game. That means something because we’re not a completely blind team. The fact that a 20-year-old enriches us right from the start is a good sign.”