To say Jobe Bellingham’s Borussia Dortmund tenure hasn’t got off to the start he’d anticipated is an understatement.
Back in June, the midfielder swapped the Stadium of Light for the Signal Iduna Park when leaving Sunderland in a £30.2 million deal to sign for Dortmund.
In doing so, Bellingham passed up on the opportunity to ply his trade in the Premier League for the first time after playing a key role in the Black Cats being promoted via the play-offs.
He called time on his career in Wearside after only two years, following in the same path as his brother, Jude, by opting to represent the German outfit, who are renowned for their development of young prospects.
Fast-forward to two months into the season, and the 20-year-old hasn’t started a league fixture since August.
Jobe Bellingham: The state of play at Dortmund
Whilst Bellingham has featured in every gameweek thus far, it’s no secret that he’ll be desperate to be deployed from the off week in, week out, having grown accustomed to a starting role with Sunderland.
He was given the nod on the opening day against St. Pauli but was hooked at half-time in place of Felix Nmecha as the side saw out a 3-3 draw.
Post-match, Bellingham’s father stood in the entrance of the locker room (ESPN) to demand answers from Sebastian Kehl as to why his son was substituted, prompting Dortmund to reiterate to all parties involved that that particular area of the stadium was restricted for players’ parents.
Bellingham started the subsequent clash against Union Berlin and played 71 minutes, which is now the lengthiest appearance he’s made this term, accumulating only 71 minutes on the pitch in the last four games.
Could MUFC finally get a Bellingham at Old Trafford?
Alas, TeamTalk claims that Manchester United may look to offer the England U21 international an escape route in the winter.
They have previously been linked with both Bellingham brothers, but more recently the youngest.
It’s thought that a desire to break into the senior England team in time for the 2026 World Cup is spurring Bellingham on to reconsider his options just four months into his Dortmund career.
