Bellingham ‘faces awkward introduction at Dortmund’ as shirt details emerge
Jobe Bellingham’s impending move to German giants Borussia Dortmund is set to be a significant moment for the young midfielder.
Jobe is expected to complete his move to the Bundesliga heavyweights in the coming days.
That would of course be a blow for Sunderland, but would be huge in terms of the career progression of the fan favourite.
Jobe faces number 7 dilemma at Dortmund
Jobe‘s switch to Dortmund, however, could be tinged with an immediate awkwardness.
As reported by Sky Germany reporter Patrick Berger, the bosses at Signal Iduna Park have their sights set on giving Jobe the coveted number 7 shirt upon his arrival.
It’s a statement of intent, indicating the high hopes they have for the Sunderland man to make an immediate impact.
However, the problem is that the number is currently occupied by USA international Gio Reyna.
Reyna is a talented player in his own right, but he’s been linked with a potential move away from Dortmund, making him a ‘potential seller’ in the club’s eyes.
This creates a rather delicate and potentially awkward situation, with the club seemingly planning for Bellingham’s future by earmarking his desired number.
They are planning this even without a definitive resolution for Reyna’s immediate role.
It’s a clear signal of where Bellingham stands in their long-term plans, but one that could certainly raise eyebrows in the dressing room.
A familiar “Jobe” on the shirt
Adding another layer to the shirt discussion, just as was the case during his time at Sunderland, Jobe’s jersey at Dortmund will simply read “Jobe” on the back, rather than “Bellingham.”
This personal touch, mirroring his preference at the Stadium of Light, will likely continue to differentiate him from his superstar brother, Jude Bellingham, who famously wore the number 22 and then the number five during his highly successful stint with the Black and Yellows.
It ensures that Jobe carves out his own identity on the pitch, even as he steps into a club where the ‘Bellingham’ name already carries immense weight and expectation.
It’s a subtle but significant statement that Jobe is ready to write his own chapter in Dortmund’s rich history.
While the shirt number issue might seem minor in the grand scheme of a high-profile transfer, it highlights the immediate considerations facing Jobe as he steps into the spotlight at one of Europe’s biggest clubs.
All eyes will now be on how this situation unfolds as the transfer window progresses.