Jobe Bellingham was long lined up to leave Sunderland in the summer, regardless of whether Regis Le Bris’ side secured promotion to the Premier League.
Multiple clubs were interested in taking him away from the Stadium of Light, and the Bellingham family carefully went through all their options. Initially, a move to Borussia Dortmund was talked down because it was felt the pressure would be too much.
After Jude Bellingham impressed so much for the German club that he got a move to Real Madrid, the comparisons were considered a danger should his younger brother go down the same route.
Those concerns were ultimately dismissed and Jobe Bellingham moved from Sunderland to Borussia Dortmund in June.
Things haven’t gone entirely to plan so far.
Over the weekend there were multiple stories in the German media about strife between the player’s parents and those in charge at BVB.
This week’s edition of German magazine [SportBild](http://sportbild.de) covers the situation in some detail.
Bellingham was brought off early during Dortmund’s 3-3 draw with St. Pauli, a disappointing result for the club. According to SportBild, the following then happened: _‘After the final whistle at the Millerntor, the parents of the England talent went into the stadium’s underground chambers to give sporting director Sebastian Kehl (45), in the person of his father, Mark Bellingham (49), a piece of their mind. The core points of his criticism: that Jobe had been substituted too early (at halftime) and that BVB shouldn’t be playing like that. Several players overheard this – and they were surprised, firstly, that parents were suddenly allowed inside the stadium, and secondly, by the former police officer’s choice of words._
_‘Kehl called Bellingham Sr. the following day – and also had a clear message. He told him unequivocally that family members had no business being in the catacombs. And that he never wanted to experience that again. At least Bellingham showed understanding and promised to refrain from such visits in the future.’_
There’s now some worry that Bellingham’s father could continue to be critical, with Dortmund having no power over what he says. Just a bump in the road perhaps, but not the best start.