Jobe Bellingham will play for Sunderland versus Newcastle in the FA Cup third round, but he might have played for the opposing team.
Saturday afternoon sees the first Tyne-Wear derby since 2016 at the Stadium of Light, which could be a cauldron. The last meeting was a 1-1 draw in the league, and the teams have not played in the same division since.
Sunderland have won their past nine games against Newcastle, and they will need Bellingham, the younger brother of Real Madrid prodigy Jude, to be at his best.
Record made at the age of 17
Jobe, like Jude, rose through the ranks at Birmingham before making his debut as a 16-year-old. As a 17-year-old, he joined Sunderland for a cost of £1.5 million in the summer and has scored four goals in 26 appearances from midfield.
Additionally, it has surfaced that Newcastle was interested in Bellingham in the summer, before of what might be the biggest game of his career.
According to The Daily Mail, discussions for a permanent transfer were had with Bellingham’s family. On the other hand, Newcastle intended to incorporate Bellingham into their younger ranks.
Bellingham made his decision based on his desire to play football for the first team, and Sunderland had encouraged him to join by inviting his family to games.
Bellingham is well-known to Sunderland’s sporting director Kristjaan Speakman, having worked with him as Birmingham’s youth manager.
Jobe’s admirers in Newcastle are reportedly still keeping an eye on him this season. When he faces Eddie Howe’s team in a pivotal match, they will be able to see him up close.
The England youth international could not contain his joy when the draw was announced.
“We couldn’t believe it when the draw happened,” he told Sky Sports.
“We were all as buzzing as you can imagine. Hopefully we can bring some pride to the fans.”
