'It's no use if he drops too deep!' - Jobe Bellingham still unsure of role under Niko Kovac as Borussia Dortmund boss explains why he substituted Englishman again

After being taken off at half time in Dortmund's opening clash against St Pauli, Bellingham was once again not given the entire 90 minutes by in their latest fixture against Union Berlin. Bellingham, who started Sunday's game, was the first player to be substituted in the 70th minute. 

Bellingham was hailed as Dortmund's marquee summer signing after joining from Championship side Sunderland. He was deployed in a midfield role by Kovac and was supposed to operate as a link between the defence and attack. However, his performance portrayed that he was yet to familiarise himself with the manager's tactics. The development comes a week after the controversial clash between the player's family and Dortmund's sporting director following his early substitution against St Pauli.

Kovac said: "He has to stay behind the opposing strikers. It's no use if he drops too deep and we play four against two in the build-up. Jobe comes from the English Championship, where the pace is different – he still has to get used to it."

Bellingham was involved in a brutal collision during the match which saw him left bleeding from his face in the first half. He will hope to play a starring role when they come up against Heidenheim in their next game on September 13.