Dan Neil discusses Jobe Bellingham’s impressive start to the season after joining Sunderland from Birmingham City in the summer.
Dan Neil points out that, despite his strong start to the season, Jobe Bellingham is still a teenager who may require rest in the coming weeks.
Bellingham, 18, has started all 14 league games for Sunderland this season and made three appearances for England’s under-19s team during the international break last month. After joining from Birmingham in the summer, the midfielder has already played more Championship minutes this season (1,098) than he did last season (598), when he made 17 Championship appearances, including just five starts.
When asked about Bellingham’s performances and workload since joining Sunderland, Neil said, “I kind of know that from my first year playing first-team football in League One, you do get burnt out when you’re young and playing.”I think everyone should remember that he’s been brilliant so far this season, but people should remember that he’s 18 years old, and there aren’t many 18-year-old lads who can go through games week in and week out like he is.
“Three games a week is still tough on the legs for me, and Jobe is three years younger than me Somebody told me the other day he’s played more minutes this season than he did the whole of last season. He just needs to keep it going, focus on the off the field stuff, the recovery, and I’m sure he’ll be fine.”.”
After missing Sunderland’s Championship game against Stoke last month due to suspension, Neil returned to the starting XI for games against Leicester and Norwich, where he partnered Pierre Ekwah in midfield.
Ekwah, 21, has also recently returned to the squad after missing five games with a dead leg, following his outstanding performance in Sunderland’s 5-0 win over Southampton, in which he scored twice at the Stadium of Light.
“Yeah, he’s brilliant,” Neil said about his midfield partner. “He possesses all of the characteristics of a top-tier midfielder.” Big, powerful left foot that can strike a ball and score from the edge of the box, as we’ve seen this season.
“The dead leg came at a bad time for him because he was just getting into a rhythm.” He appears to be back on track and looked fantastic against Norwich. I enjoy playing in midfield with him because he is always looking to fire balls through the lines, and if I’m not on, he’ll hit the switch, giving me a chance to get into the box. We’re getting along well, me, him, and Jobe, and we just need to keep going.”
Sunderland are preparing for Saturday’s Championship match at Swansea, followed by a home game against Birmingham City before the international break later this month.
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