Borussia Dortmund boss Niko Kovac has leapt to the defence of his summer signing Jobe Bellingham after a costly mistake from the Englishman allowed Bayern Munich to score the winner in Der Klassiker this weekend. Coming off the bench, Bellingham attempted to clear a cross from Luis Diaz, but the ball got caught under his feet, and Michael Olise capitalised on the mistake.
Chelsea winger Estevao has been named among the list of nominees for the 2025 Golden Boy Award. The Brazil international will compete against the likes of Borussia Dortmund midfielder Jobe Bellingham and Real Madrid talent Franco Mastantuono for the trophy which was last won by Barcelona superstar Lamine Yamal, who is unable to defend his crown due to the competition’s rules.
Jude Bellingham left his brother Jobe confused with a Frank Sinatra-themed Instagram post as Real Madrid star enjoys time off amid exile from the England national team. Bellingham has returned to action for Madrid after undergoing a shoulder injury in the summer. He is still working his way back to full match fitness and sharpness, which prompted Thomas Tuchel to overlook the midfield star in the Three Lions squad.
Manchester United are reportedly considering a move for Jude Bellingham's brother Jobe as Ruben Amorim sees the young midfielder as a perfect fit for his 3-4-2-1 system. Bellingham followed in his elder brother Jude's footsteps and signed for Borussia Dortmund in the summer transfer window from Sunderland but the youngster has struggled for regular game time in Germany under Niko Kovac.
Jude and Jobe Bellingham face a potentially unwelcome distraction away from the field, with the Daily Mail reporting that their parents have parted ways. It is claimed that Mark and Denise Bellingham have separated, having spent much of the last five years living apart as their time has been split between England, Germany and Spain - as they helped Jude and Jobe to thrive at club level. It is claimed that Mark is “growing close” to another woman.
Mark Bellingham, the father of Jude and Jobe, has seen some of his behaviour branded “an absolute joke” by England legend Sir Geoff Hurst. Bellingham senior has been billed as “the most powerful man in English football”, given the prominence of his two sons, but has also generated lively debate with his antics behind the scenes - with officials at Borussia Dortmund being confronted at one stage after Jobe was substituted at half-time.
GOAL runs the rule over the British players earning a living away from their homeland, with plenty more stars deciding to leave the comforts of the United Kingdom in search of a better footballing life elsewhere. The Premier League is still obviously one of the world's most entertaining divisions and the Championship can prove fantastic for development, but there are more options out there.
Jobe Bellingham is reportedly struggling to settle at Borussia Dortmund amid growing family tension, with German media claiming a "dangerously tense atmosphere" between his parents has left the young midfielder feeling "massively insecure". The situation comes as pressure mounts on the 20-year-old to step out of the shadow of his brother and Real Madrid superstar Jude.
Dietmar Hamann has labelled Jobe Bellingham as Borussia Dortmund's "only cause for concern" amid the club's strong start to the season. The German legend's criticism comes as the 20-year-old struggles for form, with manager Niko Kovac defending the 'nervous' star amid reports of off-field pressure from his family.
Borussia Dortmund head coach Niko Kovac has come to the defence of Jobe Bellingham following the young midfielder's struggles at the club in the ongoing campaign. Bellingham was substituted in the 69th minute of Wednesday's Champions League clash against Athletic Club, with Kovac shielding the ex-Sunderland starboy's underwhelming form by stating that he was "nervous" starting his first game in while.
Jobe Bellingham has found game time hard to come by at Borussia Dortmund despite a bright pre-season and debut goal at the Club World Cup. Coach Niko Kovac insists the new signing must be given time to adapt, stressing the need to protect him from pressure as he adjusts to life in the Bundesliga.
Borussia Dortmund coach Niko Kovac asks the media to refrain from turning Jobe Bellingham's playing time concerns into a media frenzy as he warned the midfielder he will have to fight for a place in the starting XI. He claims the crucial thing is to perform as a team after the England international's was benched for the Champions League opener against Juventus on Tuesday.
GOAL runs through the best and worst of British players plying their trade on foreign soil. Now more than ever, British players are finding that the grass can be greener elsewhere. The lure of the Premier League remains grand, but it's not the be-all and end-all. In fact, some of the home nations' biggest stars have decided to take their talents abroad to the mainland continent and beyond.