Teenager Jude Bellingham ready to lead Dortmund into battle against Chelsea - in pictures

English midfielder, 19, was part of the Dortmund squad that trained at Stamford Bridge on Monday ahead of Tuesday's Champions League clash

Borussia Dortmund's Jude Bellingham during a training session at Stamford Bridge, London on March 6, 2023. Dortmund face Chelsea in the Champions League last-16 second leg on March 7. PA

Dortmund's German goalkeeper Luca Unbehaun during training. AFP

Borussia Dortmund's Jude Bellingham, right, during a training session. PA

Dortmund's German coach Edin Terzic. AFP

Dortmund players attend a training session at Stamford Bridge. AFP

Borussia Dortmund's Jude Bellingham during training. Reuters

Dortmund's German midfielder Emre Can, left, and teammates attend a training session at Stamford Bridge. AFP

Dortmund’s German midfielder Marius Wolf, second right, and teammates during a training session. AFP

Dortmund's English midfielder Jude Bellingham poses for a photograph with a young fan during a training session at Stamford Bridge in London. AFP

Borussia Dortmund goalkeeper Silas Osztrinski during training. Reuters

Borussia Dortmund coach Edin Terzic. Reuters

Borussia Dortmund's Jude Bellingham with Niklas Sule and teammates during training. Reuters

If Borussia Dortmund's remarkable 2023 run is to continue at Chelsea on Tuesday, midfield master Jude Bellingham, 19, will need to be front and centre.

Bellingham was part of the Dortmund squad that trained at Stamford Bridge on Monday ahead of Tuesday's Champions League clash.

Dortmund arrive in West London as European football's most in-form team, having chalked up 10 wins from as many games to start 2023.

Nine points behind leaders Bayern Munich at Christmas, Dortmund have closed the gap and now sit second on goal difference.

A hard-fought 1-0 win in the opening tie against Chelsea last month means Dortmund will make it through to the Champions League quarter-finals if they avoid defeat on Tuesday evening.

While Marco Reus's likely inclusion means Bellingham, captain in Dortmund's first-leg victory, may not wear the armband at Stamford Bridge, the English teenager will unquestionably be one of the side's on-field leaders.

In what has been a breakout season for the English teenager bookending an impressive Qatar World Cup showing, Bellingham has saved his best performances for the biggest stage.

In six Champions League games this season – two as captain – Bellingham has scored four goals and laid on an assist.

Chelsea train ahead of Dortmund clash

While Bellingham's playing style has attracted no shortage of accolades, the teenager's leadership for club and country has been given particular praise.

Dortmund manager Edin Terzic, who brought Bellingham into a three-man leadership group alongside Reus and World Cup-winning defender Mats Hummels, has frequently described the Birmingham City junior as "the oldest 19-year-old player in the world."

His maturity and leadership has helped the club keep the focus on the pitch.

Unlike last season, when the Erling Haaland transfer saga pushed Dortmund to the brink of distraction, whispers surrounding a possible summer exit for Bellingham – and a potential €150 million fee – have not destablised the club.

While the Norwegian publicly complained that Dortmund were "putting pressure on me to make a decision about my future", Bellingham has frequently shut down speculation.

After October's 0-0 home draw with Haaland's Manchester City which saw Dortmund through to the Champions League knockout rounds, a smiling Bellingham told reporters who asked about a possible move: "I'm not going to write your headlines for you."

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