Exclusive: Jobe Bellingham Set to Be a Star in His Own Right, says Former Sunderland Star Phil Bardsley

Former Premier League ace Phil Bardsley believes Sunderland hero Jobe Bellingham has “the world at his feet”.

And the club’s ex-Player of the Year winner has praised the teenage talent for carving his own path to stardom with huge pressure on his shoulders to follow in the footsteps of his superstar brother Jude.

“He (Jobe) just oozes class, like his brother,” revealed Bardsley, speaking exclusively to SportsBoom. “They’ve got the same sort of attributes."

“He’s athletic and he’s brave, for such a young player he’s got it all. And he’s a got decent presence around him."

“But, at the end of the day, he’s making his own strides. He’s certainly got the world at his feet.”

Ex-Black Cats defender Bardsley watched with delight as 19-year-old Bellingham helped mastermind a memorable promotion back to the Premier League for the Wearsiders after an eight-year absence.

And although he would have loved to have seen the highly-rated midfielder strut his stuff for the Wearside outfit next season back in the top -light, Bardsley is excited to see just how good the young gun can become.

BROTHER'S FOOTSTEPS

Bellingham followed in his Jude’s footsteps by signing for Bundesliga giants Borussia Dortmund in a big money deal last week.

He penned a five-year deal worth £27.8million plus £4.2million in add ons, just more than the £25million initial fee which sibling Jude signed when he joined the German side in July 2020.

“It’s not going to be easy being the brother of a superstar, you could easily take your eye off the ball and think that you’ve cracked it,” stressed Bardsley, who enjoyed seven seasons in the Premier League at the Stadium of Light between 2007-2014.

“You obviously get chances other people might not get, but he’s stood on his own two feet hasn’t he – and he’ s done brilliantly."

“He’s gone to a club like Sunderland and they were the perfect fit for him at the time."

“And I think he’s delivered and the fans adored him."

“Look, I didn’t watch him week-in, week-out, but he looked like he played a bit deeper in some games, which suited him. His defensive qualities were there for all to see."

“We often talk a lot about set-pieces, attacking and defending, but defensively he’s been phenomenal defending set-pieces, as well as the attacking side of the game.”

The Black Cats moved quickly to sign Enzo Le Fee, another one of their star midfielders, on a four-year deal after a sublime second half of the season on loan from Roma.

FANS FAVOURITE

However, fans’ favourite Tommy Watson joined Brighton for £10million at the end of the season, while Wales international loan defender Chris Mepham and Ghana loan midfielder Salis Abdul Samed returned to their parent clubs Bournemouth and Lens respectively after a season to savour.

And the summer overhaul is set to begin with Black Cats boss Regis Le Bris set to reveal his hand for summer signings now the transfer window has re-opened.

But the French manager is already facing a battle to keep Reinildo Mandava, the Mozambique left-back who helped the club win promotion last term. 

Premier League rivals Nottingham Forest and Leeds United are both reportedly interested in the defender.

Meanwhile, Sunderland have been linked with a whole host of players including England international Jordan Henderson, who played for the club from 2008-2011, as well as Motherwell’s Lennon Miller, Forest’s Harry Toffolo, Cherries’ defender Mepham, Sturm Graz full-back Max Johnston and Wolves midfielder Tommy Doyle.