Chelsea
Mick Brown
Thu 13 March 2025 7:00, UK
Chelsea scouts have been keeping a close eye on the development of Jobe Bellingham this season ahead of a potential summer transfer.
That is according to former Sunderland and Man United chief scout Mick Brown, who remains very well-connected at his former clubs, as he exclusively told Football Insider that the 19-year-old has impressed scouts with his displays at the Stadium of Light.
However, Chelsea will be rivalled in their interest by a number of top clubs who have also been watching his progress with a potential move in mind.
This comes after Football Insider exclusively revealed on 10 February that Sunderland plan to accept offers for Bellingham if they do not achieve promotion this season.
Regis le Bris’ side are fourth in the table as things stand, eight point adrift of the automatic promotion places, and may have to rely on the playoffs to reach the Premier League.
Bellingham is one of a number of exciting young players at the Stadium of Light, but could be forced to cash in on at at least one of them to help raise funds.
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Meanwhile, scouts from both Crystal Palace and Tottenham have been watching Bellingham as there looks set to be race for his signature this summer.
Jobe Bellingham
Appearances 32
Minutes Played 2848
Goals 4
Assists 3
Jobe Bellingham’s 2024/25 stats.
Chelsea lead race to sign Sunderland star Jobe Bellingham
Football Insider revealed on 11 March that Chelsea are in pole position to sign Bellingham, while Borussia Dortmund also have a long-held interest in his signature.
Brown, who has a wealth of experience in top-level player recruitment after over a decade at Man United during their most successful period, explained that a number of clubs are prepared to make a move for the midfielder who will be “one to watch” this summer.
“He’s been playing very well for Sunderland this season,” he told Football Insider.
“That has attracted interest from a lot of clubs, and I’m told Chelsea are one of those sides who have had scouts watching him closely.
“The recruitment side of the club have been doing their business in the background.
“They’ll know all about his abilities, what he can do, what he can’t do and how good they think he can be.
“I feel a bit sorry for the lad because he always gets compared to his brother and I don’t think he’s really in that same bracket.
“But he’s progressed well at Sunderland, he’s worked hard, and really improved his game.
“It’s a lot of pressure, a lot of weight on the shoulders when you see what Jude has done.
“It looks like he’s coping well with that expectation, though, and he’s going about his business and seems to be working hard to make his own name.
“So fair play to him, because that hard work has generated plenty of interest.
“Chelsea aren’t the only ones looking at him, that’s for sure, so it will be an interesting one to watch.”
Sunderland star Jobe Bellingham is attracting a lot of interest. (Credit: Imago)
Stamford Bridge transfer spending leads to financial breaches
The potential addition of Bellingham this summer will continue a theme for Chelsea as they look to sign the best young talent from across the world.
The likes of Kendry Paez, Mathis Amougou, Caleb Wiley, Marc Guiu and Aaron Anselmino are all regarded as ones of the future, and are just a select few of Chelsea’s young signings in the last two transfer windows.
However, former Man City financial adviser Stefan Borson has told Football Insider that the Blues’ increased transfer activity means Chelsea have breached financial rules.
He explained that UEFA’s squad cost ratio rules have been breached as both Chelsea and Aston Villa have struggled to comply given their transfer spending.
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