Sunderland’s interesting Jobe Bellingham question ahead of Leicester fixture after Stoke City performance

Taking a deeper dive into Jobe Bellingham’s performance in midfield for Sunderland during their match against Stoke City at the bet365 Stadium, we find that despite a 2-1 defeat and a frustrating outing for Sunderland, there were some bright spots for Tony Mowbray’s team.

Sunderland, aware of Stoke’s quick transitions, persistently attempted to build from the back and bypass their opponent’s press. While they occasionally succeeded in breaking through, they were also prone to losing possession and being put on the defensive.

One pivotal player who assisted in playing the ball through the lines was Jobe Bellingham, an 18-year-old midfielder who, due to Dan Neil’s suspension, was once again deployed in a deeper midfield role, with Pierre Ekwah returning from injury to join him in the Black Cats’ midfield.

Despite a few errant passes from Sunderland in the first half, Bellingham showcased his control and ability to receive the ball in tight spaces, facilitating the team’s progression up the field. Bellingham managed to complete 40 of his 43 attempted passes, as per Wyscout data, during his 84 minutes on the pitch.

Earlier in the season, Bellingham played in a more advanced position, but against Stoke, he was allowed the freedom to venture forward into the opponent’s box, exemplified by his interception of a pass, a powerful run into the opposition’s penalty area, and a shot on goal that was saved by Stoke’s goalkeeper, Mark Travers, leading to Jack Clarke’s equalizing goal.

However, Bellingham, who also represented England’s under-19s during the international break, understandably showed signs of fatigue in the second half. He had started all 12 league games for Sunderland since his summer move from Birmingham, and this prompts questions about his role in the upcoming Tuesday match against Leicester. Dan Neil, offering more defensive security and experience in a deeper role, is set to return and partner with Ekwah in midfield.

This would mean that Bellingham might be competing for a more advanced role with Alex Pritchard and Bradley Dack, both of whom recovered from injuries during the international break. While Bellingham’s potential is undoubtedly exciting, Mowbray must also carefully manage the teenager’s development as he transitions to senior football.