I'm actually looking forward to seeing the reaction he gets from our lot too. Just hope its at the stadium of light.
I feel for the kid. Sounds like pushy parents and an older brother who's name he has to live up to whether he feels like that or not. I think going to Dortmund was the wrong decision for him but I hope for his sake he pushes through all this and makes his own way in the game. Last season, Jobe Bellingham starred for Sunderland and was key part of their squad that secured promotion to the top fight. He mainly operated in the middle and as a defensive midfielder, managing five goals and four assists from 47 games for the Black Cats. His form for Sunderland helped him attract interest from a few clubs this summer and Borussia Dortmund were able to secure his services for €30m. The 19-year-old hasn’t been able to replicate his Sunderland form for the German club so far and last week, Dietmar Hamann suggested BVB overpaid for him. Bild now report the Bundesliga club expected the midfielder to be a ‘difference-maker’ but that hasn’t happened yet, and there are multiple reasons for that. Bellingham has played eight games [including Club World Cup] for Borussia Dortmund of which 186 minutes are from five games this season. The signing from Sunderland hasn’t settled in as he ‘seemed like an outsider’ in matches and is becoming a ‘big €30m problem’ for Borussia Dortmund. Niko Kovač used him as a defensive midfielder, middle of the pitch and as an attacking midfielder, and his performances haven’t been convincing enough for him to cement a place in the starting lineup. According to Bild, he could be well suited as a No.6 for BVB even though Bellingham can operate across multiple positions. Marcel Sabitzer has already cemented his place, and the former Sunderland star has to fight Felix Nmecha and Pascal Groß for a place in midfield. Kovač replaced Bellingham in his side’s 3-3 draw against St. Pauli after the break and the latter’s family, including his father Mark, weren’t pleased. Mark criticised the club and sporting director Sebastian Kehl before settling the matter with an apology. Borussia Dortmund are concerned Bellingham’s family could become ‘increasingly restless’ if Kovač were to leave him on the bench regularly. To sum it up, Bellingham’s decision to leave Sunderland for Borussia Dortmund hasn’t worked out well so far. https://sportwitness.co.uk/signing-from-sunderland-becoming-big-problem-for-multiple-reasons/
We'll never know the answer to that argument. Personally, I don't think he had as good a season last year as he did when he signed although stats will probably prove be wrong
It was a season of two halves for me. Start of last year unstoppable but he tailed off around Feb - possibly from being made to play too often by his dad. I think Sadiki plays better at pace/ under pressure and his energy is maybe suited to our needs right now. Doesn’t mean he’ll have the higher ceiling necessarily.
This, wouldn't have thought it when he was going but we don't miss him and doubt he would get a start now. But as others have said before we probably don't sign one of Sadiki or Diarra if Jobe stayed.
Not so sure about that. At the beginning of this season we had plenty on our books who weren’t good enough for where we’re at, is that a problem pointing it out? 99% of supporters would agree.
Stop derailing a decent thread Our summer signings certainly haven’t been ‘crap’. Good start, roll on Villa
He'll come good, if they have patience with him and play him correctly (in the right position and at the right times). But if that article is right they were expecting a 19 year old with only 2 full seasons of senior football behind him to be a game changer? That's a lot of pressure to put on someone that young. Very few players of his age are game changers, and the ones that are still need appropriate support.
