Former Sunderland and Liverpool midfielder Jason McAteer believes that Sunderland wonderkid Jobe Bellingham will be snapped up by a Premier League giant if the Black Cats don’t secure promotion this season.
Bellingham has been watched by a number of clubs in recent months. Tottenham Hotspur, Liverpool and Crystal Palace have all been linked with the midfielder, as have German giants Borussia Dortmund.
Speaking to 10bet, McAteer praised the England youth international's progress this season under Regis Le Bris, lauding him for taking on the challenge of trying to follow in the footsteps of his superstar brother, Jude.
How far can Bellingham go? Can he rival his brother’s achievements over the long term?
McAteer commented: “He’s grabbed himself a few goals and he’s played about 28 games this season. For a 19-year-old to play that amount of times in the Championship where it’s a very difficult league, he’s learning a lot from being in that division.
“Having played there, I know what he’s going through. It’s very difficult to live in the shadow of Jude Bellingham. The golden boy of English football playing for Real Madrid. He’s an absolute star – to try and follow in his footsteps is very difficult.
“The family are very grounded and level-headed. He comes from a great background. He’s at the right football club and it’s a brilliant football club.
“It's an amazing fan base. A great place to live. They’re in fourth in the table and there is still a chance they could actually go up automatically. And that fan base will get behind them. You can only imagine if Sunderland don’t go up then I think the big boys will come knocking next season.”
Sunderland sporting director Kristjaan Speakman spoke last month about Sunderland not entertaining winter transfer window bids for Bellingham and fellow youngster Chris Rigg. The duo continue to cause heads to turn despite some inconsistencies in Sunderland's play of late.
Speakman said: He added: “Often not enough is made of being able to retain talent. In January there’s lots of competitors and teams who lose talent in the window. Our ownership has been really firm on the fact we are trying to retain and build. That often means you are making difficult decisions in turning offers and opportunities down."