Martin Allen staggered by Jobe Bellingham news coming out of Sunderland – Exclusive
Jobe Bellingham has been the centre of constant exit rumours at Sunderland this season.
The England under-20 international played a key role as the Black Cats were promoted to the Premier League at Wembley.
Across 90 minutes, the 19-year-old barely put a foot wrong as goals from Eliezer Mayenda and Tommy Watson secured a 2-1 win against Sheffield United.
In the aftermath of the win in the capital, former midfielder Martin Allen has reacted to the latest developments surrounding Bellingham moving into the summer.
Allen baffled by Bellingham news at Sunderland
The Young Player of the Year in the Championship has certainly caught the eye of a number of teams across England and Europe.
This is a similar story for midfield partners Dan Neil and Chris Rigg, who have been linked with moves of their own ahead of the transfer window’s opening date.
With that being said, the discourse around the ex-Birmingham City man has rumbled on for many months, with a deal potentially still on, regardless of promotion.
This has seen Florian Plettenberg (26 May) report that the teenager has travelled to Germany for a visit and talks with Eintracht Frankfurt amid rival interest from Borussia Dortmund.
It is fair to say that ex-Brentford and Leicester City manager Allen has been left unsure by a move after what he’s seen from Bellingham in recent weeks.
Speaking exclusively to Mackem News, Allen said: “I’ve watched him play, and I haven’t been particularly impressed.
“He’s been ok, nothing special, and was outplayed in midfield by Coventry, so he didn’t impress me.
“I was interested to see if he’d be one to move on, but from what I’ve seen, I thought he was bang average.
“I can’t see anyone going out and paying £15m-20m for him. No [I can’t see why Dortmund are interested], I haven’t seen enough from him.“
Bellingham nears Sunderland exit
After earning promotion to the Premier League, it had felt as if Bellingham was destined to stay with the Mackems for at least another season.
| Stat (Championship 24/25) | Jobe Bellingham |
| Appearances | 40 |
| Goals | 4 |
| Assists | 3 |
That won’t be the case as it appears that a move away from the Stadium of Light, potentially to Germany, will be completed at some point in the summer.
This will certainly represent a blow for Regis Le Bris’ side, who have relied on the young midfielder throughout the season as his stellar form has continued throughout the campaign.