Sunderland star Jobe Bellingham is once again turning heads on social media, after another strong performance on the international stage with England’s U21s.
Jobe Bellingham starred for England’s U21s on Monday night, providing an assist in the 4-2 win over Portugal having broken into the Young Lions team this season.
Now 19 years old, Bellingham has featured 34 times in the Championship this season, scoring four and assisting three for Regis Le Bris’ side who remain in 4th place of the Championship table.
But Bellingham has faced criticism in recent weeks. Many Sunderland fans think that the powerhouse midfielder is simply in need of a rest but his performance against Portugal suggested otherwise.
And it’ll have been a performance that might have caught the eye of many onlooking Premier League clubs with Bellingham having had links to some of Europe and England’s best sides this season, one such team being Manchester United.
Photo by MI News/NurPhoto via Getty Images
Photo by MI News/NurPhoto via Getty Images
Manchester United deal for Sunderland star Jobe Bellingham not advanced
Earlier in the season, it was revealed that Manchester United have scouted Bellingham this season. The former Birmingham City man has also had links with the likes of Borussia Dortmund and Arsenal among others, though Man United keep on being mentioned with a possible summer move for the youngster.
Now, journalist Ben Jacobs has commented on the matter. He insists that a possible United move for Bellingham is not yet at an advanced stage but that Bellingham is certainly someone who fits the category of player that United under co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe want to sign in the upcoming summer transfer window.
Jacobs explains to GIVEMESPORT: “The player’s not really agitating for a move. There’s nothing advanced yet between Manchester United and Jobe Bellingham.
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“But what we can say about Manchester United is that part of Jim Ratcliffe’s sporting-led strategy is to lower the average age and to invest in home-grown talents. And Jobe Bellingham ticks both boxes.”
Photo by Cameron Smith - The FA/The FA via Getty Images
Photo by Cameron Smith – The FA/The FA via Getty Images
Jobe Bellingham’s stats for England U21s vs Portugal U21s
Bellingham ran the show against Portugal. In the centre of midfield alongside Middlesbrough’s Hayden Hackney, Bellingham showed why he’s so in demand, using his first-team experience to stand head and shoulders above most others on the pitch.
And he put his physical attributes to the test, completing the most duels and most ground duels of any player on the pitch, whilst also completing the joint-most dribbles of any other player too.
Statistic Jobe Bellingham vs Portugal U21s
Passes completed 66
Pass % 96
Duels won 9/11
Ground duels won 8/10
Dribbles completed 3/3
Long balls completed 1/2
Tackles 3
Interceptions 2
Defensive actions 5
Bellingham certainly has the attributes of a player who could really shine in the physical yet technical Premier League. But his next move has to be the right one. He needs a mixture of regular game time and also playing under a manager that suits his style.
Whether or not Manchester United is the best choice remains to be seen.