Todd Boehly supposedly wants to sign Sunderland man Jobe Bellingham.Todd Boehly supposedly wants to sign Sunderland man Jobe Bellingham.
Todd Boehly supposedly wants to sign Sunderland man Jobe Bellingham. | Getty Images
Sunderland legend Marco Gabbiadini has warned Jobe Bellingham against a move to Chelsea.
It had emerged this week that Chelsea chairman Todd Boehly would like to prioritise a transfer swoop for Sunderland teenager Jobe Bellingham this summer as the midfielder continues to impress in the Championship.
The Blues will have to beat reported interest from top flight rivals Arsenal, West Ham and Crystal Palace but The Sun had reported that doing so was Boehly’s plan come the end of the season. Bellingham is the younger brother of Real Madrid star and England international Jude and looks ready for the step up to the Premier League.
However, just as news of Chelsea interest has been reported, Black Cats legend Marco Gabbiadini has warned Bellingham against moving to a big Premier League club, specifically Chelsea. He told BBC Sport Tyne & Wear: “That’s one thing about running a tight ship, maybe they don’t particularly need the money. It’s about the player development. As soon as you hear Chelsea, alarm bells start ringing, how many players have gone there and it’s not worked out? People like Danny Drinkwater, there’s loads of them.
‘Don’t go there’ - Jobe Bellingham warned against Chelsea transfer
“They’ve taken dozens over the years who go there and you never see them ever again two or three years later. Please, whatever you do, don’t go there. If you’re going to leave us, don’t go there.
“It’s a Premier League problem. He’s been playing brilliantly and he’s really great to watch, you can understand why teams are interested in him, but does he want to be playing Premier League football yet? It’s a big step but you’ve got to get it right, it’s really difficult.
“That’s why I think so many players, like his brother, go to these German teams now because they don’t have as big a squad, they don’t spend as much money in the transfer market. You would see that as a better move for him than going to the Premier League where they’ve got these huge squads and you can be second or third in line.”
German sides in race for Sunderland midfielder
Gabbiadini won the Third Division with Sunderland in 1988 and made 157 appearances for the club. His words of warning seem to caution Bellingham against a move to the likes of Chelsea and Arsenal. Crystal Palace could be a more cautious option with their track record of helping EFL prospects make the step up to the top flight.
It’s of the biggest boost to Borussia Dortmund and Bayer Leverkusen, both of whom TNT Sports claim hold an interest in Bellingham. Sunderland, however, are keen to keep their man and it had been touted that it would take upwards of £20 million to make the North East side think about sanctioning an exit.
In other news, Chelsea have been handed a blow ahead of facing Arsenal with the return of a key Gunners man to fitness.