Jobe Bellingham's Deram Steps Out of Jude's Shadow

At first glance, it seems difficult to discuss Jobe Bellingham without mentioning his older brother, Jude. It is understandable, as they both started at the same place, the Birmingham City Academy. Now, Jobe has joined Dortmund, the club that Jude represented from 2020 to 2023.

However, Jobe has proven that he can be a topic of conversation without having to involve his brother who defends Real Madrid. Jobe is gradually stepping out of Jude's shadow. He is forging his own path with a series of affirmations.

Four years, nine months, and one week after Jude's first goal for Borussia Dortmund in the DFB-Pokal against Duisburg in 2020, Jobe carved out his own story at the same club. At the Cincinnati Stadium in Ohio, United States, on Saturday (21/6/2025), during the continuation of the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup, Jobe scored his first goal for Dortmund in his full debut with the club.

After scoring his first goal, Jude collected 23 additional goals in a total of 132 matches for Dortmund before joining Real Madrid in 2023.

Jobe clearly exhibits signs of talent similar to his brother. However, although the comparison is inevitable, Jobe also demonstrates that he is his own person with the ability to shine.

Jobe Bellingham even chose to use 'Jobe' instead of his last name as the name on the back of his jersey. It seems he wants to create his own identity, separate from his brother.

Jobe joined Dortmund from Sunderland just a few days before the 2025 Club World Cup. The English player made his debut from the bench in Dortmund's first match, which ended in a goalless draw against Fluminense.

In the second match, Jobe had the opportunity to play as a starting player. This opportunity was a small surprise, but he performed and made a difference when needed.

There's so much scrutiny on Jobe if he doesn't play well. It's not fair because he's so young. - Mike Dodds -

His goal against Sundowns in the 45th minute for Dortmund's 4-3 victory showcased Jobe's anticipation and composure. The goal also illustrated the agility of this 19-year-old midfielder.

The goal came after Jobe timed his run perfectly, arriving in the box at the perfect time. As the rebound came his way, Jobe chested the ball down and slid it away from his defender. He then volleyed it into the net.

That ability did not emerge suddenly. According to Jobe's admission, the process of scoring that goal was the result of repeated practice, something he has indeed honed. Jobe believes it is important for a midfielder to develop that aspect.

"I practice that process a lot of times, not the exact finish. But arriving on the edge of the box as a midfielder is something you have to master very well," Jobe was quoted as saying by DAZN.

"If you can score goals, contributing a certain number of goals per season, then you are doing very well," he stated.

According to former Chelsea midfielder John Obi Mikel, a midfielder can simply distribute the ball and then remain still. However, Jobe demonstrates his desire to arrive in the penalty area and wants to be present there when the ball is directed towards that location.

Not Jude. Seeing Jobe actually reminds Obi Mikel of another legendary midfielder from England, Frank Lampard. "Lampard scored around 20 goals every season by being there and arriving at the right time. I think Jobe will score many goals for Dortmund," he stated.

"What I like about him is that he is very direct. As soon as he gains control of the ball, he looks up, passes forward, and runs forward. He wants to arrive in the penalty box at the right time, and that is exactly what he does."

"Chest control and volley kick, he would not score this goal if he did not pass and then run forward," Obi Mikel stated afterward.

Jobe has developed in his gameplay and demonstrated strength and energy in the midfield as he moves forward. Jobe applies pressure with the aim of forcing the opponent into making numerous mistakes.

His ability to connect different lines and to break the deadlock has already been evident at Sunderland. At this club, Jobe has also demonstrated that he is not merely riding on the coattails of his famous brother.

During two years at Wearside, Jobe was almost always present. He became a key player in 85 out of 95 Championship matches, the second tier of the English League, wearing the Sunderland jersey. Last season, he only missed six matches, three due to suspension and the other three due to injury.

Jobe played every minute in the club's successful effort for promotion to the English Premier League. From the 40 matches played in the regular Championship season, Jobe contributed four goals and three assists. This record may seem modest, but his contributions go beyond those numbers.

Mike Dodds, the former interim manager of Sunderland, once stated that due to his last name and the comparisons made, there is sometimes excessive analysis regarding Jobe. In fact, this is not something fair to Jobe.

“There’s a lot of scrutiny on Jobe if he doesn’t play well. It’s unfair because he’s so young and I don’t think people appreciate how good he is for his age,” Dodds told The Athletic in 2024.

Regardless of that, with his efforts, Jobe is slowly emerging from the shadow of his brother. He continues his endeavor to create his own identity. The next step is to see how he can carry this out with full consistency.