The former Black Cats star is in action for Dortmund at the Club World Cup
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Jobe Bellingham of Borussia Dortmund
Jobe Bellingham of Borussia Dortmund (Image: Getty Images)
Jobe Bellingham said he “followed his heart” to go to Borussia Dortmund even though he had expressed his love for Sunderland. In a wide-ranging interview with OneFootball.Com the ex-Black Cats midfielder also said, “I don’t really care” about people who wonder why he has just his first name on his shirt rather than Bellingham insisting “I want to go my own way.”
The teenager also revealed he had been against playing for Dortmund because he wanted to go his own way and not follow in his brother Jude’s footsteps.
But that is exactly what he has done.
Speaking about his start at Dortmund he said: “It’s been really good. I met the lads and signed before I flew over, so I feel like I’m settling in really well at the club.
“It’s obviously difficult when you sign for a new club and then you have to fly away immediately. But a lot of people have made it as easy as possible for me. So yes – to be honest, it’s been really fun so far. “
Adjusting to the conditions of the Club World Cup he added; “Yes, it’s difficult – especially the humidity and the heat. It’s completely different to anything I experienced in Sunderland or Dortmund, of course. It’s something new, but it’s a unique tournament, so you just have to face up to things like that. I think we’ve done quite well so far. We’re still training very intensively, so it’s not looking too bad.”
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On his move to Dortmund he reckoned: “It may sound contradictory, but I was biased against Dortmund for a long time – precisely because Jude played here. I wanted to go my own way and had fears.
"But I spoke to Hans-Joachim Watzke and his words were decisive, ‘It’s not about being different. It’s about doing the right thing.’ And for me, that was Dortmund.
“It wasn’t a decision made out of convenience – it was the right one. It would have been a mistake not to sign just because my brother was here. You have to listen to your heart – and that’s what I did.”
On his decision to wear his first name on his shirt he explained: “When I signed for Sunderland, it was suggested to me by someone, a special coach I had there who I also had in Birmingham. I was still young and thought it was cool to have my own name on the back.
“It didn’t have any deeper meaning – but it’s become something unique. It shows that I’m going my own way. Some people don’t like it – I don’t care.
"You can’t follow your goal and listen to everyone at the same time. I only listen to people who know what they’re talking about – not internet critics who just spout nonsense. I just try to get better every day. And my name on my shirt is part of that.”
Now he hopes to follow in the footsteps of his role models.
“I’m always watching midfielders,” he said. “Documentaries too. I’ve seen the Gerrard documentary so many times. Maradona too – his documentary is great, but I can’t learn much from him because he was just too good. I also watch Patrick Vieira a lot.
"I always thought he was more defensive, but he could actually do everything. Gerrard is another one I watch all the time. And lots of other midfielders.”
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