Sunderland captain Luke O’Nien has stated that youthful Jobe Bellingham is as much of a leader for the Black Cats as he is.
Tony Mowbray’s men have had a mixed start to their Championship campaign, finishing ninth after 17 games.
Due to the absence of experienced center defender Corry Evans due to injury, O’Nien has been tasked with leading the Black Cats this season.
The 29-year-old emphasized that his team has a solid foundation of young players that needs to develop in order for the club to have a bright future.
He stated that summer acquisition Bellingham possesses leadership skills and that other young players must drive the team as much as he does.
“Equally I still have a lot to learn as well”, the Black Cats skipper told the Sunderland Echo.
“I’m learning off the younger players, people like Jobe, he’s a leader just as much as myself and it’s important that these guys pull the team just as much as I will.
“Having those players like Jobe and the young players, they’ve got to see themselves as leaders.
“They have to impact the game, they’ve got to set the values on the squad day in, day out in training.
“Slowly we are getting a really, really good base and we have to keep growing that.”
Bellingham, 18, has been a key component in Mowbray’s side this season, and the club will be keen to retain his skills for the foreseeable future.
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