Sunderland have been criticised for overplaying one of the biggest prospects this season.
Sunderland have massively invested in youth over the last couple of years – a giant stretch from the team that were relegated to the Championship in 2017, consisting of the likes of John O’Shea, Darren Gibson and Lee Cattermole.
Some of their most experienced players have made way for fresh faced teenagers, who have mostly struggled since arriving at the Stadium of Light.
The likes of Eliezer Mayenda, Luis Hemir Semedo and Mason Burstow have netted one goal between them, while many have picked up significantly more minutes than they would have expected last summer.
Jobe Bellingham joined Sunderland as a 17-year-old and was expected to rotate into the first-team squad, but has instead made 41 starts in the Championship this term.
The Black Cats were warned that the midfielder could suffer burnout if he wasn’t rested, with Dan Neil suffering a similar incident during his breakthrough.
Jobe Bellingham has been ‘overplayed’ by Sunderland
The academy graduate made 39 appearances during the 2021-22 campaign and gradually saw his form decline, before Alex Neil benched him for six of their final 16 games.
Tony Mowbray, Michael Beale and Mike Dodds have all failed to listen to that warning though, and Jobe remained a constant in the starting line-up, despite a number of disappointing performances.
The Athletic journalist Michael Walker has now claimed Sunderland have ‘overplayed’ the teenager, writing on X: “Watching Jobe Bellingham on a weekend when his brother scores a winner in El Clasico highlights a contrast.
“Jobe has done well in his first season at Sunderland but been overplayed. He was only 17 when it began, a more significant detail than his name.”
Has Jobe been punished by his high expectations?
Jobe’s age and lack of experience has been ignored by everyone this season – the media, fans and the club itself.
The England U19 international had high expectations placed on him purely because of his brother, despite only making five league starts prior to his move to Wearside.
Sunderland’s three head coaches this season have undeniably overplayed him and refused to drop him even when he was playing poorly – which already had a huge question mark over it.
There was no denying that he desperately needed a rest and that was proven when he was finally benched against Plymouth, only to come on and score in his 25 minute cameo.
Jobe may have had a lot more success this term if he didn’t have so much pressure on him in the starting line-up every week, but supporters should also not be quite as critical when he has struggled either.
The ‘unbelievable’ youngster has a long summer coming up and hopefully that will help him, while Sunderland will also need to bring in some more experienced leaders and proven strikers to help guide him, while it will also allow him to play in his natural position.