Jobe Bellingham has expressed regret over how his first months at Borussia Dortmund have unfolded, admitting that he misjudged what life would be like following his transfer. Having moved from Sunderland this past summer in a record deal believed to be around £32 million, many saw it as a bold progression in his budding career. However, the transition hasn’t been seamless.
One of the hardest parts has been dealing with constant comparisons to his older brother Jude, who left an impressive legacy at Dortmund before moving on to Real Madrid. Jobe revealed he felt anxious about stepping into that shadow, even mildly resistant to joining the same club for fear of it being seen as following a predetermined path. But in the end, he decided those worries shouldn’t prevent him from doing what he believed was right for his growth.
On the pitch, he has struggled to secure regular starting roles. Despite featuring in the Club World Cup and other fixtures, much of his Bundesliga campaign has been spent as a substitute. His minutes on the field are limited, and he has been warned by Dortmund’s head coach, Niko Kovac, that he is “not doing himself any favours” by not pushing for more involvement. Competition in the squad is stiff, and Kovac has urged patience while stressing that even though Jobe has potential, he must adapt and show consistency.
Still, Jobe has shown maturity in reflecting on his situation. He admitted that he was initially biased against the idea of Dortmund because of Jude’s history there fearing he would constantly be judged against that benchmark. But after conversations with club leadership and weighing his own ambitions, he accepted the move. He’s trying to focus on developing his own identity, not just being “Jude’s brother.” One symbolic choice is that he wears Jobe on the back of his shirt instead of the family name, a small but meaningful way to underline that he wants to be seen as his own person.
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