How Mike Dodds could play an integral role in Borussia Dortmund’s pursuit of Sunderland duo

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EFL Analysis has exclusive information on the futures of Chris Rigg and Jobe Bellingham at Sunderland, with Borussia Dortmund stepping up their interest.

Sunderland full-back Trai Hume starred during their win over Millwall. The 1-0 win leaves them fourth in the Championship table and takes them a step closer to securing a play-off berth ahead of other contenders.

Position	Team	Played MP	Won W	Drawn D	Lost L	For GF	Against GA	Diff GD	Points Pts
1	Sheff UtdSheffield Utd	39	26	7	6	56	29	27	83
2	LeedsLeeds	39	23	12	4	78	27	51	81
3	BurnleyBurnley	39	22	15	2	53	11	42	81
4	SunderlandSunderland	39	20	12	7	56	37	19	72
5	CoventryCoventry	39	17	8	14	56	51	5	59
6	West BromWest Brom	39	13	18	8	48	35	13	57
7	MiddlesbroughMiddlesbrough	39	16	9	14	59	49	10	57

Regis Le Bris’ side are now 15 points clear of Middlesbrough in seventh position after 39 matches played as they eye a return to the Premier League after eight years away.

By average age, his team are by far the youngest in the Championship. Norwich City have an average of 24.4 and Sheffield United 25.0, while Sunderland’s is 23.9. Le Bris has just five players over the age of 25 on the books.

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Borussia Dortmund use Mike Dodds link to scout Sunderland duo Jobe Bellingham and Chris Rigg

Sunderland have real quality in Enzo Le Fee and Jobe Bellingham, with Regis Le Bris’ side now packed full of quality and some of the best players in the Championship. That includes Wilson Isidor, with the Frenchman described as one of the two best signings in the Championship this season.

He is one of a number of players they will wish to retain this summer, especially given Sunderland have had plenty of good strikers depart in recent times. But the young talent is where the Black Cats may be hit hardest, including the likes of Tommy Watson, Dan Neil, Dennis Cirkin, Bellingham, and Rigg.

The latter pair are where Sunderland may have the most concerns, given the volume of interest that continues to mount. EFL Analysis expert Graeme Bailey has offered the latest exclusive information on Rigg and Bellingham.

That is because EFL Analysis now understands that Borussia Dortmund are continuing to pay close attention to Jobe Bellingham and Chris Rigg.

Bailey said: “Dortmund are ready for a reboot this summer after a poor campaign. They are looking to bring Jadon Sancho back to the club but also have their eyes on other English talent and Bellingham and Rigg.

“The Sunderland duo are two players have been watching for years, remain high on their radar. We can also reveal that Dortmund have known about the progress of the pair for longer than most.

“That is because of Dortmund’s UK scout Daniel Dodds — the brother of Mike Dodds, now Wycombe Wanderers boss — played a huge role in the progress of both players during his time coaching on Wearside and he has made it clear how good both are.

“Bayern Munich, RB Leipzig and Bayer Leverkusen have all checked on both Sunderland midfielders in 2025.”

Dodds took charge of 16 Sunderland games in an interim role last season, securing just four wins in that time. However, one included a 1-0 win over Leeds United where Bellingham scored a late winner.

• READ MORE: Championship play-off dates, fixtures, and teams in Premier League promotion mix

Jobe Bellingham and Chris Rigg’s 2024/25 stats

Such is their quality, it is very likely both Bellingham and Rigg will go on to have careers in the Premier League and to be among the current EFL players to eventually play for England.

They have shone this season, with Bellingham particularly kicking on from last season after his arrival to the North East outfit from Birmingham City, with regular minutes and game time crucial to his development.

Without promotion, Sunderland will almost certainly require a few big player sales. They will be desperate to retain at least one of the pair, but there are so many exciting young talents at the Stadium of Light to choose from.

They are destined for top-flight football, be that in England or via following in the footsteps of Jude Bellingham, Jadon Sancho, and the like in Germany; it has proven to be the ideal league for English talent to thrive and develop in.