Sunderland’s young squad are doing amazing things in the Championship this season, so much so that Thomas Tuchel has started to take notice.
Under Regis Le Bris, the Black Cats have mounted an unlikely title challenge and appear to be on course for promotion via the play-offs at the very least.
Sunderland have the youngest squad in the Championship, with a number of teenage talents standing out and carrying them into the upper regions of the league.
But one star in particular, who has been named the Championship’s most valuable player, has caught the attention of the England national team manager of late.
England are considering Jobe Bellingham call-up
According to Alan Nixon, Sunderland’s Jobe Bellingham has already been scouted by Tuchel and his assistant, Anthony Barry, with a view to potentially making the step up to the senior Three Lions squad.
Nixon reports that Barry was present as Burnley and Sunderland drew 0-0 last week, with Bellingham and Clarets ‘keeper, James Trafford, on his watchlist.
It is thought Tuchel is not afraid to look outside of the top division when it comes to finding the right players for his England revolution, and a “possible selection” beckons for the Championship stars.
Jobe is now firmly “on the radar” after impressing for Sunderland, and could join his older brother, Jude, in the men’s team at international level.
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If Jobe’s good enough, it doesn’t matter where he’s playing
It’s refreshing that Tuchel is willing to think outside the box when it comes to his England squad, and given the quality of so many players in the second tier, it would be foolish to overlook them out of principle.
Jobe has already shown he is a top quality player, and there’s no doubt he will end up playing in the top flight either at home or abroad one day.
He and Chris Rigg have been amazing over the last year, and in fact, Jobe has even outshone what Jude achieved at this level already.
For a 19-year-old to have so much talent, maturity, and drive is incredible, and we’re sure that, if he were given the chance to step up at international level, he would thrive for the Three Lions.
The only downside for Sunderland is that, with more eyes on Jobe, those other clubs out there would be even more keen to snap him up. Already, we’ve seen interest from Germany intensify, as well as a number of Premier League suitors keeping close tabs on the teenager.