Usually, tactical flexibility is something a player learns later on in their career. No wonder Regis Le Bris believes so much in the Sunderland starlet’s vast potential.
Speaking ahead of Saturday’s clash with a now-managerless Coventry City – the Sky Blues sacked club legend Mark Robins after uber-successful seven years at the helm – the ongoing absence of Jobe Bellingham is a problem Le Bris could do without.
Following successive draws against QPR and Preston North End, Bellingham was sent off against the latter while copping a three-game ban.
The Black Cats lacked their usual cut and thrust during that drab 0-0 draw versus the Lilywhites; Le Bris lauded goalkeeper Simon Moore as Sunderland’s saviour at Preston.
So, with Bellingham’s ill-timed suspension threatening to undermine much of the outstanding work Sunderland have done in the first few weeks of the season, Le Bris is understandably keen to remind the 19-year-old of the importance of keeping your cool.
Sunderland boss Regis Le Bris delighted with Jobe Belligham’s potential
Fortunately, Bellingham is not the type of youngster who usually requires much guidance.
Remember, this is a teenager who spent much of 2023/24 playing out of position as a centre-forward. Under Le Bris, Bellingham has not only thrived in his favoured box-crashing attacking midfield role, he has also displayed the intelligence to hold the fort with more disciplined duties.
“He played once as a six, [during the 3-1 win] at Portsmouth I think. Then, he played as an eight. Always in possession, [Bellingham plays] as an eight,” Le Bris said during his Friday press conference.
“I think this is a good place for him because he can run in behind, he can play the triangles, he can shoot, he can score, he can defend, he can press. He can do many things! He is a complete player with huge potential to discover.
“I know that the consistency and probably the way he can affect the game more is always the key for him. He wants to improve every day his standards are very high.”
The irony is that Bellingham produced perhaps the most effective, complete performance of his Sunderland career just days before he went sent for an early bath at QPR. A display so impressive that the idea of Jobe Bellingham joining Jude in the England team doesn’t feel far-fetched these days.
The Black Cats are yet to win without him either. And they could really do with breaking that duck if they are to end the week still leading the way at the top of the table.
Jobe Bellingham tipped for England and Premier League future
“Bellingham was just magnificent all game really,” EFL oracle and Oxford fan George Elek said after watching the £3 million signing from Birmingham City power home a thumping header against Des Buckingham’s side.
“In the summer, it felt [we were saying]; ‘He’s obviously good. He’s played a lot of minutes, we’ve seen flashes, but we are yet to really see him nail down a position’. And, since then, he’s basically done that every week.
“Watching him now, and seeing how dominant he is on the ball with the pitch in front of him and how he is able to drive into spaces, how he is able to find the wingers easily, he is a threat from range, I now think he is a real deal.
“You don’t want to say ‘the real deal’ because his brother [Jude] is the real deal and you don’t want to compare them. But I now think there is probably quite a good chance that, quite soon, we are going to see Bellingham and Bellingham play for England!
“He is going to be a Premier League player next season, whether that’s with Sunderland or anyone else. Or an elite-level player anyway.
“And his progression, because he is a teenager, is going to be very quick.”