Sunderland fans and experts jump to defence of Jobe Bellingham as Borussia Dortmund talks continue

Add as preferred source on Google

While many Sunderland fans are still celebrating the fact they’ll be in the Premier League next season, the lingering doubt over Jobe Bellingham’s future is still a concern hanging over them.

Just days after that stunning victory at Wembley, Sunderland were rocked by the news that Jobe Bellingham had travelled to Germany to sound out a move to the Bundesliga.

Eintracht Frankfurt were the first to discuss the move with Bellingham, but it now appears Borussia Dortmund will win the race for the Sunderland ace.

For many Black Cats fans, the only issue is the fee Bellingham will bring in for the club, with many hoping and expecting it to be closer to £35m than the £25m initially quoted.

• READ MORE: Forget Jobe Bellingham, another Sunderland star is now tipped for shock exit amid Serie A links

Sunderland fans are at peace with Jobe Bellingham exit

Now, though, it seems fans and experts associated with Sunderland are coming to terms with Jobe’s move, and are happily reflecting on what he has given the club in his time on Wearside.

Sunderland reporter James Copley tweeted: “Jobe came to Sunderland, worked hard, and embraced every aspect of the club and culture. He leaves the shirt in a better place than he found it and we recoup a decent fee. Mutually beneficial for all involved. I wish him well. Has been a pleasure to watch.”

Meanwhile, as comparisons between Jobe and his brother Jude escalate, Michael Graham said: “Talk about names all you want with Jobe Bellingham, but here is the only thing that actually matters: For the last two years, without exception, he played for the name on the front of the shirt, not the one on the back. Hope he absolutely smashes it at Dortmund.”

Others are simply happy that the young star is getting the move he’s dreamed of, writing: “Jobe Bellingham leaving is going to hurt far more than any player in my lifetime. The way he’s carried himself since joining has exceeded anything we could have hoped for. He’ll go to the very top, genuinely can’t wait for the day he lines up for England with Jude alongside him.”

Elsewhere, some fans are worried about how this loss will affect the team, adding, “For me, he’s one of those players you know is good when you watch them, but know he’s even better when you see the difference in the team without them.”

Another looked at things from a different angle regarding Jobe’s legacy and the pressure around him, stating: “The Bellingham name is as much a hindrance as it is an advantage for the lad, but, he has proved his potential and character beyond a shadow of a doubt in the red and white.”

• READ MORE: Frankfurt’s £8.5m Jobe Bellingham plan becomes clear as Sunderland star makes his choice

Jobe Bellingham’s Sunderland career explained

Having signed for Sunderland from Birmingham City back in 2023 for a fee of just £1.5m, there was naturally a degree of expectation around the teenager given the way his brother had shot to stardom at Dortmund.

While Jude has obviously done great things on the biggest stages across Europe and with England, ironically, Jobe has outperformed his brother in the EFL.

If and when he does leave Sunderland, Jobe will depart having made 90 appearances for the Black Cats in all competitions, scoring 11 goals and registering four assists.

More than that, though, Jobe has helped Sunderland develop a dominant and commanding midfield, refusing to allow the Black Cats to get bullied in the middle of the park. His influence in terms of possession, leadership, and controlling the game will be sorely missed.

Sunderland must now consider replacements for Jobe Bellingham, which will not be an easy task at all. With a £35m fee in the offing, and 15% of that going to Birmingham, Sunderland will not exactly have bags of money to spend on filling the void left behind.