‘Own identity’ – Jobe Bellingham follows similar path to brother Jude
Though Jobe is following in his brother’s footsteps by joining Dortmund, he wears his first name on the back of his shirt as he aims to create his own headlines.
“He doesn’t want to live off the back of his brother’s name; he wants to be the footballer he is and show people what he can do. He’s trying to create his own identity,” said former Sunderland boss Tony Mowbray in 2023.
While Jude operates largely as a number 10 – behind the main striker – for club and country, Jobe can play as a defensive or box-to-box midfielder.
In his first season at the Stadium of Light he even deputised as a central forward, although he has maintained his best position is in the middle of the park.
“I know playing box-to-box is what I enjoy the most, because you can get stuck in and drive forward,” he told Sky Sports., external “I can show more of what I’m capable of in that position.”
In the 2024-25 season, he played 43 times for Sunderland, scoring four goals and registering three assists.
“He’s still a young player with the ability to play many different roles,” said Sunderland boss Regis le Bris earlier this season.
“I like him as a number eight because he’s an offensive midfielder. He can express his power, his ability to run and his ability to press, to link defence and attack.”
Former Sunderland striker Marco Gabbiadini believes moving to Germany will be a positive for Jobe.
“The Bundesliga is somewhere between the Championship and the Premier League,” said BBC Radio Newcastle pundit Gabbiadini.
“It’s a way of stepping up, maybe a little bit of less pressure. There are some financial advantages of going abroad as well.”
Jobe was 17 when he moved to Sunderland from Birmingham for an undisclosed fee – on the same day Jude completed his move to Real Madrid.
“It was a bit of a surprise when he came to Sunderland,” added Gabbiadini. “Not because we weren’t a big enough club, but because he was such a hot talent.
“Birmingham were in a similar position to us in the league, it wasn’t a massive step up at that stage.
“He’s been very good for us. Do I think he’s as good as his brother? Not from what I’ve seen so far, but there is nothing wrong with that.
“If he’s 80% as good as his brother, he will still be a very good footballer. So in some respects, let it be, let it progress as he wants.”