Birmingham City attacker Jude Bellingham is being backed for great success by his former youth coach.

Sam Manoochehri, an ex-youth development coach at Birmingham, worked directly with Manchester United target Bellingham for four years and has shared an insight into the highly-rated star.

“Anywhere Jude goes, he will be a success, based purely on his mentality. I have never seen a mentality more elite than his," he told the Mirror.

“When I worked with him, when something was tough, he loved it. I can remember games when he wanted to play himself centre half to test himself.

“Now if you say to most young midfielders or attackers, by the way you are playing centre-half today they probably wouldn't be best pleased with it.

“But Jude would actively go and seek the challenge without having to be pushed from the coaching staff."

Manoochechri added: "I can remember one training session in particular where after about 20 minutes, I asked him are you using your other foot?

“He replied, yeah I am just going to play on my left foot today and that was without any prompts.

“That is his unique ability, he loves a challenge, loves developing and learning, being pushed out of his comfort zone."