Jim White laughs at what he’s told amid Bellingham exit latest at Sunderland
Jobe Bellingham looks like he could leave Sunderland this summer, despite their promotion to the Premier League.
Bellingham has been crucial to the Black Cats’ successful season, playing every minute of their play-off campaign, including their play-off final victory over Sheffield United.
Sunderland’s promotion to the Premier League appears not to have been enough to convince the 19-year-old to stay at the club, as he now looks set to follow his brother’s footsteps after being spotted in Germany to meet with Eintracht Frankfurt (26 May).
Fellow Bundesliga side Borussia Dortmund have also expressed interest in the young Englishman.
His brother Jude Bellingham made a similar leap from the Championship with Birmingham to Dortmund, aged 17.
White reacts to dilemma over Bellingham’s brother comparisons
Bellingham is often discussed within the context of his brother, as he has become a young star player both at Real Madrid and international level.
With Bellingham looking to follow in his brother’s footsteps, pundit Simon Jordan remarked (27 May): “He will have to go some way to be as good as his brother, and his father will be able to give his irritable response next time he’s asked by journalists which brother he’s talking about, won’t he? Cause he’ll be able to do it more legitimately this time around than what he did last time.”
Jordan highlighted the difficult position Mark Bellighnam faces, often aggravated by journalists focusing only on one of the son’s, which drew laughter from talkSPORT’s Jim White, who found the observation spot-on.
Bellingham’s potential exit from Sunderland is likely to draw him out of his brother’s shadow and allow his talent to be acknowledged individually.
Bellingham exit latest is a major blow for Sunderland
The Black Cats were hoping their Premier League promotion could convince the 19-year-old to stay, given the opportunity to play in the top English league.
However, recent developments are worrying for Sunderland, given their performance this season when Bellingham has been absent.
| Without Bellingham | With Bellingham |
| 6 Matches | 40 Matches |
| 0 Wins | 21 Won |
| 5 Draws | 8 Draws |
| 1 Losses | 11 Losses |
Now looking towards their first Premier League campaign in eight years, Sunderland will need to find a replacement for his pace and power.
Regis Le Bris is already looking at potential targets, including Wolves midfielder Tommy Doyle.
If Bellingham does choose to follow the footsteps of his brother, it will give him an opportunity to shine in European competitions, and make a name for himself besides from comparisons to his brother.
Yet this move would place Sunderland in a worrying position ahead of a tough return to the Premier League.