Mike Dodds on Jobe Bellingham for Sunderland ahead of Leeds
JOBE Bellingham, who impressed against West Brom, looks likely to start up front for Sunderland against Leeds United on Tuesday.
After Jude Bellingham called his younger brother a “thoroughbred striker” the previous week, Jobe was selected above the other four strikers on the Black Cats roster by interim manager Mike Dodds.
Having worked with the Bellingham brothers during their ascent through Birmingham‘s ranks, Dodds is well acquainted with both of the Bellingham families. Jobe spent the majority of his early football career as a striker before switching back to midfield.
The 18-year-old is at ease up front and led Sunderland‘s line earlier in the season.
“I’ve had the privilege of coaching him from a very young age, and I watched him play as a striker pretty much up until the U14s,” Dodds explained. His position did not change until he was a little older.
Despite his age, Bellingham has played a lot of football for Sunderland this season, and while he’ll be managed carefully, Dodds isn’t concerned.
“You stand next to him, he’s got a unique body for an 18-year-old,” the man said.
“We’ll see how the next 48 hours go, we’ve done most of our prep in terms of how we’ll set up against Leeds United but we’ll see how the next couple of games go and make a decision from there.”
Bellingham‘s fourth goal of the season was denied against West Brom when his early strike was incorrectly ruled out for offside.
“The guys were saying his goal was onside early on,” Dodds said. We have the advantage of being able to use a large number of resources, clips, data, and so on.
“Joe had a goal at QPR that was chalked off, and another one today that was chalked off.” He should have scored against Leicester, and he should have scored against Birmingham and Ipswich.
“What that demonstrates is that he has a real knack for being in the right place at the right time, which I don’t believe can be taught.” All we have to do now is tidy those bits up.”
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