Jobe Bellingham

Summary

Jobe Samuel Patrick Bellingham (born 23 September 2005) is an English professional footballer who plays as a midfielder or forward for EFL Championship club Sunderland.

Jobe Bellingham
Bellingham with Birmingham City in 2022
Personal information
Full name Jobe Samuel Patrick Bellingham[1]
Date of birth (2005-09-23) 23 September 2005 (age 18)[2]
Place of birth Stourbridge, England
Height 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m)[3]
Position(s) Midfielder, forward
Team information
Current team
Sunderland
Number 7
Youth career
0000–2021 Birmingham City
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2021–2023 Birmingham City 24 (0)
2023– Sunderland 43 (7)
International career
2021 England U16 1 (0)
2021–2022 England U17 8 (0)
2022– England U18[4] 9 (2)
2023– England U19[4][A] 5 (0)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 18:25, 20 April 2024 (UTC)
‡ National team caps and goals, correct as of 18:25, 20 April 2024 (UTC)

Bellingham began his career in Birmingham City's academy, made his first-team debut as a 16-year-old, and made 24 league appearances before joining fellow Championship club Sunderland in 2023.

He has represented England at all age-group levels up to under-19.

Early and personal life edit

Jobe Bellingham was born in Stourbridge, West Midlands, on 23 September 2005,[7] the younger son of Denise and Mark Bellingham.[8] Mark worked as a sergeant in the West Midlands Police and was a prolific goalscorer in non-League football.[9] Bellingham is the younger brother of Real Madrid and England international footballer Jude Bellingham, who preceded him into Birmingham City's academy where both were to spend their formative years.[10] The 16-year-old Jude was a first-team regular during the 2019–20 season before signing for German club Borussia Dortmund.[11] After Jude's departure, Jobe featured in Birmingham's 2020–21 season kit unveiling.[12]

Club career edit

Birmingham City edit

At the age of 15 years, 321 days, Bellingham was named on the substitutes' bench for Birmingham's 2021–22 EFL Cup first-round match at home to Colchester United of League One.[13] He remained unused, as he did in the second round of the same competition.[14] Had he made a debut in either match, still a few weeks short of his 16th birthday, he would have become the club's youngest ever first-team player, breaking the record set by his brother in the first round two years earlier.[13] Later that year, rumours linked Jude Bellingham with a return to England; counter-rumours linked Jude's club, Borussia Dortmund, with interest in signing Jobe.[15] By the end of the year he had four goals from nine appearances for Birmingham's under-18 team in their section of the Under-18 Premier League, and had played four times for their under-23s in Premier League 2 Division 2.[14]

 
Bellingham with Birmingham City in 2022

Bellingham was named on the bench for the EFL Championship match against Coventry City in November. Manager Lee Bowyer insisted that observers should not judge him by his brother's achievements, pointing out that he was "next in line" because of the number of injuries among the club's midfielders.[16] He again remained unused.[14] He made his senior debut as a second-half substitute in Birmingham's 2021–22 FA Cup third-round match at home to League One club Plymouth Argyle, replacing the 17-year-old Jordan James after 70 minutes with the score goalless and Birmingham reduced to ten men.[17] At 16 years, 107 days, he became Birmingham's second youngest debutant.[18][19] After the match, which Birmingham lost 1–0, Bowyer said he had earned his debut by the improvement in his game over the previous few weeks training with the first team.[18] He made his first appearance in the Football League a week later as a late substitute in a 1–1 draw away to Preston North End.[14][20] His next was not until the final match of the season.[21]

In July 2022, Birmingham confirmed that Bellingham would be taking up a scholarship with the club and had agreed terms on a first professional contract, to take effect on his 17th birthday.[22][23] Under head coach John Eustace, his introduction to Championship football was gradual. He made occasional substitute appearances in the first couple of months of the season, was used regularly from the bench in October,[14] and made his first start on 11 November, playing the first hour of a 2–1 defeat at home to Sunderland.[14] The Birmingham Mail's mid-season assessment highlighted the trust placed in him to "[see] out some very nervy end-of-game situations", while pointing out that the Sunderland match "suggested he still has a way to go to be ready for the step up. Which is fine, he's 17."[24] Eustace was insistent that there was "no rush" to get Bellingham into the starting eleven – the team had several other young central midfielders in Manchester United loanee Hannibal Mejbri and the home-grown George Hall and Jordan James.[25]

A stomach muscle strained in January 2023 kept Bellingham out for three months.[26][14] During his absence, he added muscle and physicality to go with his increased height.[27][28] At home to Stoke City on 10 April, he came close to winning the game with what would have been his first senior goal when his stoppage-time volley was blocked.[29] A few days later, Bellingham started the match away to Millwall that Birmingham won to secure their Championship status, "was composed on the ball, intelligent without it and, in the words of Eustace, 'showed great maturity'."[30] He finished the season with 22 league appearances, of which five were starts.[14]

Sunderland edit

Rumours of a possible move to Sunderland strengthened after Bellingham attended their play-off semi-final against Luton Town. The club's sporting director Kristjaan Speakman, first-team coach Mike Dodds, and head of coaching Stuart English had all been at Birmingham when the Bellingham brothers were coming through the academy, and were credited with a major role in the development of both.[27][28] On 14 June 2023, Bellingham joined Sunderland for an undisclosed fee.[31]

Bellingham made his debut for Sunderland on 6 August 2023, starting the team's opening match of the season against Ipswich Town.[32] He chose to use his given name on the back of his shirt rather than the conventional surname; manager Tony Mowbray thought "he's trying to create his own identity. He doesn't want to live off the back of his brother's name; he wants to be the footballer that he is and show people what he can do."[33][34] On 19 August, he scored his first two professional goals in Sunderland's 2–1 victory against Rotherham United at the Stadium of Light.[35]

On 11 November, he scored the opening goal of Sunderland's 3–1 win over his former club Birmingham City.[36]

International career edit

Bellingham was born in England, and is reported to be also eligible to represent Ireland via a paternal grandparent.[37] He made his debut for England under-16s on 3 June 2021, starting a 6–0 friendly win against Northern Ireland.[14] He made his first appearance at under-17 level three months later in the Syrenka Cup tournament against Romania; he marked the occasion by missing a penalty, but England still won 2–0. He also played in the other group match and in the final, which England lost 3–2 to the Netherlands.[14][38] In October, he played in all three of England's 2022 European Under-17 Championship qualifying round matches, and provided an assist for Kobbie Mainoo's goal in a 7–0 win against Armenia, as England topped their group and progressed to the elite round.[39][40]

After eight appearances for the under-17s,[41] Bellingham was included in the England under-18 squad for a four-team mini-tournament at the Pinatar Arena in Spain in September 2022.[42] He started against the Netherlands and Belgium and was a late substitute against the Faroe Islands as England won all three matches.[43][44] In March 2023, Bellingham played in all three matches of the under-18s' tour of Croatia. Against the hosts, he came on after an hour, scored an equaliser, and England went on to win 2–1.[45] He started and captained the side in the other two matches. His shot was blocked for a penalty that would have tied the scores against Belgium – he took the kick but missed, and Belgium won 3–0 – and he scored the last goal of a 3–1 win against Switzerland.[46][47]

On 6 September 2023, Bellingham made his England U19 debut during a 1–0 defeat to Germany in Oliva.[48]

Career statistics edit

Club edit

As of match played 20 April 2024
Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
Club Season League FA Cup EFL Cup Other Total
Division Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals
Birmingham City 2021–22[21] Championship 2 0 1 0 0 0 3 0
2022–23[49] Championship 22 0 0 0 1 0 23 0
Total 24 0 1 0 1 0 26 0
Sunderland 2023–24[32] Championship 43 7 1 0 1 0 45 7
Career total 67 7 2 0 2 0 0 0 71 7

Notes edit

  1. ^ Bellingham's half-time replacement of Kane Taylor against Wales on 14 October 2023 is omitted by the England team website match report.[5][6]

References edit

  1. ^ "Squad list 2022/23 & U21 registered contract players" (PDF). EFL. February 2023. p. 11. Retrieved 8 February 2023.
  2. ^ "Jobe Bellingham". Birmingham City F.C. Archived from the original on 7 March 2023. Retrieved 7 March 2023.
  3. ^ Smith, Phil (14 July 2023). "Tony Mowbray outlines his key Jobe Bellingham challenge – and a key Sunderland weakness he'll help address". Sunderland Echo. Retrieved 14 July 2023.
  4. ^ a b "Jobe Bellingham: Internationals". worldfootball.net. HeimSpiel Medien. Retrieved 22 October 2023.
  5. ^ Veevers, Nicholas (11 October 2023). "Report: England MU19s 1–1 Wales". England Football. Retrieved 22 October 2023.
  6. ^ "UEFA Under-19 Championship Group 12: England 1–1 Wales". UEFA. 14 October 2023. Retrieved 22 October 2023.
  7. ^ "Jobe Bellingham: Profile". worldfootball.net. HeimSpiel Medien. Retrieved 9 January 2022.
  8. ^ Goldmann, Sven (9 October 2020). "Jude Bellingham: Young. Good. And really cool". Borussia Dortmund. Retrieved 9 January 2022.
  9. ^ Coney, Steven (22 September 2016). "700-up! Legendary striker Mark Bellingham on reaching the amazing milestone". The Non-League Paper. Retrieved 9 January 2022.
  10. ^ Fisher, Ben (20 February 2020). "Why Jude Bellingham is already on the radar of football's powerhouses". The Guardian. London. Retrieved 9 January 2022.
  11. ^ "Jude Bellingham signs for Borussia Dortmund from Birmingham". Sky Sports. 20 July 2020. Archived from the original on 20 July 2020. Retrieved 9 January 2022.
  12. ^ Preece, Ashley (15 August 2020). "Confirmed: Birmingham City unveil new Nike home shirt for Aitor Karanka era". Birmingham Mail. Retrieved 9 January 2022.
  13. ^ a b Chapman, Joseph (10 August 2021). "Lee Bowyer makes 11 Birmingham City changes as Jobe Bellingham makes squad". Birmingham Mail. Retrieved 9 January 2022.
  14. ^ a b c d e f g h i j "J. Bellingham". Soccerway. Perform Group. Retrieved 15 June 2023.
  15. ^ Hughes, Steven (4 November 2021). "Borussia Dortmund hope signing familiar face can convince Bellingham to stay". Teamtalk. Retrieved 8 January 2022.
  16. ^ Dick, Brian (24 November 2021). "'Don't do that' – Lee Bowyer issues Jobe Bellingham warning after Birmingham City call-up". Birmingham Mail. Retrieved 8 January 2022.
  17. ^ "Birmingham City 0–1 Plymouth Argyle". BBC Sport. 8 January 2022. Retrieved 9 January 2022.
  18. ^ a b "Jobe Bellingham: Birmingham City debut for Jude's 16-year-old brother". BBC Sport. 8 January 2022. Retrieved 8 January 2022.
  19. ^ "Bellingham creates Blues history". Birmingham City F.C. 6 August 2019. Retrieved 2 September 2022.
  20. ^ "Preston North End 1–1 Birmingham City". BBC Sport. 15 January 2022. Retrieved 15 January 2022.
  21. ^ a b "Games played by Jobe Bellingham in 2021/2022". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 8 May 2022.
  22. ^ Dick, Brian (16 July 2022). "Breaking: Birmingham City announce deal for Jobe Bellingham". Birmingham Mail. Retrieved 16 July 2022.
  23. ^ "Blues' Jobe Bellingham signs professional contract". Birmingham City F.C. 23 September 2022. Retrieved 23 September 2022.
  24. ^ Dick, Brian (16 November 2022). "Birmingham City midseason player ratings as Hogan shines and Man Utd teen plays with 'hair on fire'". Birmingham Mail. Retrieved 14 June 2023.
  25. ^ Dick, Brian (9 December 2022). "Birmingham City boss John Eustace makes Jobe Bellingham plea". Birmingham Mail. Retrieved 14 June 2023.
  26. ^ Burke, Molly (13 February 2023). "Birmingham City vs Cardiff City injury news: Six sidelined and two doubtful ahead of Championship clash". Birmingham World. Retrieved 14 June 2023.
  27. ^ a b Hewitt, Matty (1 June 2023). "Jobe Bellingham set for 'Premier League future' and Sunderland pathway". Chronicle Live. Newcastle. Retrieved 14 June 2023.
  28. ^ a b Dicken, Alex (15 May 2023). "Jobe Bellingham should listen to Birmingham City plea over Sunderland transfer". Birmingham Mail. Retrieved 14 June 2023.
  29. ^ "Birmingham City 0–0 Stoke City". BBC Sport. 10 April 2023. Retrieved 15 June 2023.
  30. ^ Dicken, Alex (19 April 2023). "Jobe Bellingham comes of age and Birmingham City have blueprint to follow". Birmingham Mail. Retrieved 15 June 2023.
  31. ^ Smith, Phil (14 June 2023). "Jobe Bellingham explains why he chose Sunderland as club land second summer signing". Sunderland Echo. Retrieved 15 June 2023.
  32. ^ a b "Games played by Jobe Bellingham in 2023/2024". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 20 April 2024.
  33. ^ Buckingham, Philip (21 August 2023). "Jobe Bellingham is creating his own identity and Sunderland are the happy beneficiaries". The Athletic. Retrieved 19 March 2024.
  34. ^ Altimas, Callum (16 September 2023). "The reason Jobe Bellingham doesn't have his surname on the back of his shirt". GiveMeSport. Retrieved 19 March 2024.
  35. ^ "Sunderland 2–1 Rotherham United: Jobe Bellingham double sinks Millers". BBC Sport. 19 August 2023. Retrieved 19 March 2024.
  36. ^ Scott, Ged (11 November 2023). "Sunderland 3–1 Birmingham: Jobe Bellingham on target as Rooney's Blues beaten again". BBC Sport. Retrieved 19 March 2024.
  37. ^ O'Halloran, Rob (20 November 2022). "Every Irish-qualified football player at the 2022 World Cup". Extra.ie. Retrieved 9 December 2022.
  38. ^ "Academy highlights of the month" (PDF). Birmingham City F.C. Academy. September 2021. Retrieved 9 January 2022.
  39. ^ "UEFA Under-17 Championship Israel 2022: Teams: England". UEFA. Retrieved 9 January 2022.
  40. ^ Smith, Frank (16 October 2021). "Super seven for England MU17s against Armenia". England Football. Retrieved 9 January 2022.
  41. ^ "Match results under-17 2020–2030". England Football Online. Chris Goodwin & Glen Isherwood. 29 March 2023. Retrieved 7 April 2023.
  42. ^ Veevers, Nicholas (16 September 2022). "England MU18s squad set for Spain". England Football. Retrieved 16 September 2022.
  43. ^ "Match results under 18 2020–2030". England Football Online. Chris Goodwin & Glen Isherwood. 26 September 2022. Retrieved 26 September 2022.
  44. ^ Veevers, Nicholas (23 September 2022). "Report: England MU18s 2–1 Faroe Islands". England Football. Retrieved 26 September 2022.
  45. ^ Hides, Leanne (22 March 2023). "Report: Croatia 1–2 England MU18s". England Football. Retrieved 28 March 2023.
  46. ^ Hides, Leanne (24 March 2023). "Report: England MU18s 0–3 Belgium". England Football. Retrieved 28 March 2023.
  47. ^ Smith, Frank (27 March 2023). "Report: Report: England MU18s 3–1 Switzerland". England Football. Retrieved 28 March 2023.
  48. ^ "Report: England MU19s 0-1 Germany". England Football. 6 September 2023.
  49. ^ "Games played by Jobe Bellingham in 2022/2023". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 8 May 2023.

External links edit

  • Profile at the Sunderland A.F.C. website