Real Madrid star Jude Bellingham had Birmingham team-mate ‘chasing after hotdogs’ in first training session at 16 years of age

Kristian Pedersen formed part of the Blues’ squad when a precociously-gifted teenager stepped up from the academy ranks to join in with first-team sessions. Few knew what to expect at that stage, with Bellingham an unknown quantity even to those working alongside him at St Andrew’s.

It did not take long for the youngster to earn respect, with his stock soaring to the point that a move to Borussia Dortmund was made in 2020 before eventually heading on to Santiago Bernabeu for €103 million (£89m/$110m) in the summer of 2023.

Pedersen is not surprised by Bellingham’s impact in Spain – with 13 goals recorded through 14 appearances for Real – with the England international boasting a usual habit of making a positive first impression. Denmark international Pedersen has told Tipsbladet of watching Bellingham break through: “I don't know if the rest of us were joking a bit about it, but I was a bit sceptical at first that a 16-year-old was allowed to play for us. He has to prove himself if they think he's that good, but I myself was a little sceptical. But as long as he performs well in training, there's nothing wrong with it. And already in the first training session, some of the things he did there were amazing.

“We had an exercise, I can remember, where we did one-on-one drills. And by chance, I had to go up against Jude, and he completely sent me chasing after hotdogs. He's just really strong one-on-one. And he's smart and very mature for his age. It surprised me a lot. There were some mixed opinions. There was no doubt that everyone in the squad knew that Jude is a top-class player. But retiring his number after a season as a 16/17-year-old... That was quite a move by Birmingham. You can then simply say that it has turned out to be the right decision.”

Eyebrows were raised when Birmingham retired Bellingham’s No.22 jersey, but he is a now a Kopa Trophy winner, the favourite to land the prestigious Golden Boy award in 2023 and a player being tipped by many to eventually follow in the footsteps of Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo as a multiple Ballon d’Or winner.