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Sunderland midfielder Jobe Bellingham left some Championship fans fuming after winning Young Player of the Season over Shea Charles and CJ Egan-Riley.
Following a standout season at Sunderland, Jobe Bellingham was named the Championship’s Young Player of the Season on Sunday, beating out Sheffield Wednesday’s Shea Charles and CJ Egan-Riley of Burnley to the award.
Former Birmingham City youngster Bellingham has been in impressive form for Regis Le Bris’ side this season, notching seven goal contributions in 39 appearances, playing a pivotal role in the Black Cats’ Premier League promotion push.
Sunderland sit fourth in the Championship table and will be waiting in anticipation for the final day’s fixtures to understand who they will face in the play-offs.
Bellingham will be hoping to silence his doubters by earning promotion to the top flight, after Sunderland supporters leaped to his defence at Championship fans who lamented his Young Player of the Season scoop.
Jobe Bellingham wins Championship Young Player of the Season as Sunderland fans defend star
Bellingham has arguably, alongside impressive full-back Trai Hume, been Sunderland’s top performer this term.
Last season, during his year on Wearside, he was shoehorned into several positions and eventually burned out by the end of the campaign.
In the 2024/25 campaign, he has played most games as one of the outside 8s in Le Bris’ favoured 4-3-3 Sunderland set-up, alongside Chris Rigg, with Dan Neil sitting slightly deeper.
The 19-year-old has been a consistent presence for the Black Cats, with his match-winning display in the 3-2 comeback win at Swansea City exemplifying his efforts in both defence and attack for Le Bris’ side this season.
Despite his stellar campaign, some fans of rival Championship clubs lamented his award. One arguing: “If the last name wasn’t Bellingham he wouldn’t have even been nominated, utter joke”, as another agreed: “Winning it purely off his name. How Egan-Riley didn’t win that is shocking,”.
As ever the dedicated fanbase, Sunderland supporters leaped to the youngster’s defence, feeling his naysayers couldn’t have watched much of his 3,417 minutes in red-and-white this season.
One Sunderland fan said: “Best player in the team that’s 4th in the league. At the age of 19. It’s obvious why he’s won this. Sunderland haven’t won a game where he’s not featured all season”, as another posted: “No-brainer. Earned it in his own right regardless of name”.
Another argued: “Well done Jobe fully deserved”. One fan said: “Get up Jobe lad. Going right to the top”
In reply to fans bemoaning his award, one Sunderland argued: “Can tell you haven’t watched him”, as another said: “The lack of football knowledge is incredible”.
Jobe Bellingham has chance to make Sunderland history
Bellingham has been one of the best Championship stars this season, not just in the young player categories but compared to all second tier talents, the 19-year-old is up there with the best and could soon go on to be a senior England international.
39 games, seven goal contributions, affecting the game in all thirds, showing maturity far beyond his years to dominate midfield battles in the Championship at just 19-years-old, how can that be anything other than Young Player of the Season material.
| Jobe Bellingham stats this season |
| Games played – 39 (38 starts) |
| Goals + Assists – 7 |
| Chances created – 47 |
| Duels won – 234 |
Borussia Dortmund have been linked with Bellingham, who is one of many Sunderland risk losing if they fail to earn promotion, with an array of elite European clubs circling for his signature this summer following his stellar campaign as the Black Cats hunt for his potential transfer replacement.
Sunderland’s season hangs in the balance, after securing a play-off place weeks ago, with their worrying recent form having come at precisely the worst moment.
Sunderland’s play-off record makes for worrying reading. Both on a personal and club level, Bellingham will be intent on making his own history and diminishing the burden of his second name, by taking his standout performances this season into the Black Cats’ play-off campaign and propelling them back to the Premier League promised land.
It could be the only bargaining chip for Sunderland to retain his services beyond this summer.