Jobe Bellingham’s debut season at Borussia Dortmund has not gone as many had hoped. After an impressive Club World Cup where he scored once and assisted another, manager Niko Kovac rewarded him with a start in the Bundesliga opener against St Pauli. However, his night ended early when he was substituted at halftime.
After the match, Mark Bellingham, father of Jobe and Real Madrid star Jude Bellingham, reportedly entered the tunnel to confront sporting director Sebastian Kehl. Dortmund had blown a 3-1 lead to draw 3-3. Bellingham Sr. was upset with his son’s early substitution and the team’s dull approach.
Kehl later played down the incident. The club, however, reminded everyone that only players and staff are allowed in restricted areas. Managing director Lars Ricken explained, “They stood at the entrance to the locker room and also spoke emotionally with Sebastian, which isn’t a problem at all based on the relationship. Everything was cleared up already.”
Kovac Still Searching for Bellingham’s Ideal Role
After the St Pauli match, Bellingham saw his playing time drop. This had nothing to do with his father’s reaction. His only other Bundesliga start came against Union Berlin, where he played 71 minutes before being replaced by Felix Nmecha.
In that first game, Bellingham played as a number 10 behind two strikers. But since then, Kovac has switched to a 3-4-3 formation. That setup doesn’t include a traditional attacking midfielder. At Sunderland, Bellingham had played beside a defensive-minded partner, which allowed him more freedom.
Now, Nmecha handles the holding role, while Pascal Gross and Marcel Sabitzer bring control to midfield. This leaves Bellingham competing for limited opportunities. Out of his 14 matches this season, nine have come as a substitute. Still, he has shown promise in Europe. His two assists in the Champions League win over FC Copenhagen proved his potential.
Moments of Struggle and Learning
Bellingham’s hardest moment came in the Bundesliga Klassiker against Bayern Munich. He came on in the 73rd minute with Dortmund chasing the game. Soon after, he tried to stop a goal-bound shot but slipped, setting up Michael Olise for Bayern’s second goal.
Though not at fault for the loss, the error summed up his season, eager to help but struggling to make an impact.
Dortmund Still Believe in Bellingham’s Potential
Dortmund paid a similar transfer fee for Jobe as they once did for Jude Bellingham. They hoped for a repeat success story. While Jude rose quickly at 17, Jobe’s path has been slower. He needed time at Birmingham and Sunderland before making this leap.
Even so, the club has shown patience and faith. Kovac said, “I believe things go faster than even I could have imagined, because the lad has really a lot of quality.”
Recent performances hint at progress. Bellingham played the full 120 minutes against Eintracht Frankfurt in the German Cup. He also impressed against Augsburg, helping to secure a narrow 1-0 win.
With Sabitzer struggling for form and Gross nearing the end of his career, Bellingham’s chance could come soon.
Dortmund might not get another Jude Bellingham-style rise, but the younger brother has the potential to create his own story — one built on patience, persistence, and steady growth.
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