Jobe Bellingham Finds His Footing at Dortmund Ahead of Manchester City Return

Posted : 04 November 2025

Borussia Dortmund midfielder Jobe Bellingham is steadily proving his worth after a slow start to life in Germany, as he prepares for an emotional return to England to face Manchester City in the Champions League on Wednesday.

The 19-year-old joined Dortmund from Sunderland during the summer for a reported €30.5 million ($35 million) — one of the most expensive transfers in the club’s history. His move followed in the footsteps of his elder brother Jude Bellingham, who also joined Dortmund as a teenager before becoming a global superstar at Real Madrid.

Jobe, who captains England’s under-21 side, will play on English soil for the first time as a Dortmund player this week. Both Dortmund and City have started their European campaigns strongly, sitting in the top eight of their groups after two wins and a draw apiece.

The younger Bellingham knew his transfer would invite comparisons with Jude, but believed Dortmund was the ideal place to develop. Like during his Sunderland days, his shirt bears the name “Jobe” instead of his surname — a subtle attempt to carve out his own identity.

In pre-season, Jobe openly admitted that living up to his brother’s legacy weighed on him. “It’s something you do think about. You have these anxieties, especially being young,” he said. “I’m not perfect. I do think about these things.”

Although he made a positive impression at the Club World Cup, starting three games and contributing a goal and an assist, his Bundesliga debut was less successful. Substituted at halftime in his first league match, his father and agent Mark Bellingham reportedly confronted Dortmund’s sporting director Sebastian Kehl, prompting the club to publicly remind families to stay clear of team-only areas.

The teenager found himself benched for several weeks, playing only brief substitute roles without registering a goal or assist. His struggles continued with a high-profile error against Bayern Munich, when his failed clearance allowed Michael Olise to score the winning goal.

That moment, however, marked a turning point. Just days later, Jobe produced two assists in a Champions League win over Copenhagen, followed by a crucial role in the German Cup victory against Eintracht Frankfurt, where he helped set up the equaliser. Most recently, he made a vital defensive block in a narrow 1-0 win at Augsburg, showcasing his growing maturity and confidence.

According to Bild, Dortmund now plan to start Jobe in Wednesday’s clash with Manchester City, a sign of his growing importance to the team.

Head coach Niko Kovac has praised the young midfielder’s progress, saying: “You could see against Frankfurt what qualities he has — he’s physical, composed, and confident. We’re building him up gradually, and he’s actually progressing faster than I expected because he has so much quality.”

Goalkeeper Gregor Kobel echoed the sentiment, adding: “Jobe is doing great. He’s improving every week — truly outstanding.”

With growing confidence and consistent performances, Jobe Bellingham seems to be stepping out of his brother’s shadow — ready to shine on his own stage as Dortmund face one of Europe’s best.

Jobe Bellingham Finds His Footing at Dortmund Ahead of Manchester City Return

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