8th Jun 2024 • Written by Tom Reynolds

Jobe Bellingham: Potentially Palace

Credit: Ian Horrocks/Sunderland AFC/ Getty Images

There are famously only three certainties in life; death, taxes, and Crystal Palace signing Championship talent. After an excellent end to the season, and amidst rumours of a potentially high-spending summer, the South London club are back hunting on their favourite patch, and a new name has emerged – one Jobe Bellingham. Younger brother to England and Real Madrid star Jude, Jobe has had a promising first full season in English football, which has attracted the attention of the Eagles.

A midfielder by trade, who could potentially play higher up, or even as a striker, Jobe Bellingham looks the real deal. With eight goal contributions in 45 games for the Black Cats this season, the youngster shows plenty of promise in a position that Palace are looking to strengthen. But with other names being linked – Daichi Kamada and Jordan James among them– Jobe has a lot of competition to fend off if he is to be the Eagles’ latest Championship swoop. 

Have Jobe’s performances been enough this season to convince Dougie Freedman to be ‘Belling Him’ this summer?

Who is Jobe Bellingham?

Jobe, like his brother Jude, came through Birmingham City’s academy. An injury crisis in midfield saw him on Birmingham’s bench at the age of just 16, before making his debut in the FA Cup against Plymouth Argyle in January 2022. He made two more appearances that season, before making 22 appearances the following season for the Blues in a campaign disrupted by a bad stomach injury. 

Credit: Matthew Lewis/Getty Images

Despite not scoring or assisting, and only making 5 starts, then Birmingham manager Josh Eustace described him as showing “great maturity” for his composure on the ball.

In June 2023, Bellingham would make his move to Sunderland, and was given his debut by Tony Mowbray in the first game of the season. He would go on to make a total of 45 appearances for Sunderland in the campaign, scoring both goals in a 2-1 victory against Rotherham United. He ended the season with 7 goals and a single assist, a fair tally for his first season in professional football.

What would Jobe bring to Palace?

They say the best ability is availability, and Jobe can definitely bring that to the table for the Eagles, with the young midfielder playing 88% of Sunderland’s minutes this season. Given Palace’s injury problems in midfield this season, with Doucouré and Lerma both suffering long spells on the sidelines, his consistency would be of great use to Palace. At 18, it’s unlikely Jobe would be a starter for the Eagles, given his age and the competition, but he would provide valuable squad depth for Palace.

Another benefit of Jobe’s is his ability to add goals from midfield. Hughes, Doucouré, Lerma, and Wharton only managed one goal between them this season. With Jobe’s eye for goal, Palace would possess a greater threat from deeper areas, lessening the burden on players such as Eberechi Eze and Michael Olise. His versatility would be extremely useful for Palace, allowing Glasner’s men to freshen their attacking options whilst keeping the pace and dynamism of their usual starters.

Jobe’s abilities on the ball also appear useful for Palace – in particular, his progressive carries. Averaging 1.59 carries per 90, Jobe is in the 70th percentile for this in comparison to midfielders – and this, coupled with the 4.49 progressive passes he receivers per game, offers Palace the ability to progress the ball up the pitch in a different way to what Doucouré or Wharton offer. Jobe can receive the ball, turn, and glide up to spring an attack, much like Eze would – but crucially, he could offer this from a deeper starting point.

  Where does Jobe fit?

As we’ve seen, Jobe can fit in either central midfield or higher up the pitch for Palace, playing in behind the striker. The latter has been his more frequent position, however, with 25 of his appearances playing as a number 10. He has also been deployed as a centre-forward on ten occasions, which makes him an even more attractive prospect for squad depth.

Whilst Jobe’s signing would provide depth for Palace, it’s worth questioning whether this depth is as important as other areas of the squad that need attention. Jordan Ayew, Matheus França, Naouirou Ahamada, and even Jeffrey Schlupp are all options that Oliver Glasner already has in Jobe’s desired position.  Even further back, in midfield, Jobe would be fifth in a queue containing Lerma and Hughes as backup options. 

Whilst Palace do need to phase out older players, such as Ayew and Schlupp, Jobe could represent an expensive depth option who would be sharing minutes with other attacking players. With Schlupp recently signing a contract extension, Jobe’s minutes may be even further reduced.

The case of Ahamada is also worth mentioning. The Frenchman has struggled since his move to Selhurst, and the potential signing of Jobe would allow Ahamada to leave on loan to gain some more invaluable minutes. Whilst he sorely needs this exposure, Palace will have to weigh up whether a move for Bellingham would significantly add to the squad.

Credit: Matthew Lewis/Getty Images

Whilst Glasner has a direct interest in Jobe, more so than other options, it’s hard to see him being anything more than an expensive, and maybe even unnecessary, depth option. This wouldn’t make him a bad signing, especially given his talent, but would definitely not be the most effective use of Palace’s funds.

Is Jobe the best option?

Jobe is not the first player of this mould that Palace have taken an interest in. In January, the Eagles had serious interest in Birmingham’s Jordan James, with the club making an offer. Whilst Glasner is believed to prefer Jobe for his system, James would represent similar depth at a lower price than Bellingham would command, with Sunderland said to want around £20m for his services. This would represent a massive outlay for the Eagles, and a cheaper option such as James would be a better investment.

Jordan James also managed 8 goals for Birmingham, despite playing in the centre of midfield. Whilst James lacks the attacking potential of Jobe, there is no doubt he could adapt his game to fit into a role behind the striker. At a fraction of the cost, James may represent a better deal for Palace.

Credit: Tony Marshall/Getty Images

Other options have been floated for Palace too – Kamada, on a free transfer, would be another obstacle in Jobe’s path to the first team. Large spells on the sidelines, whilst good for Palace’s depth, could stunt Jobe’s progression, especially at such a young age. Whilst Glasner is reportedly a fan, it’s hard to see him being given substantial minutes over the other options available for Palace.

Should Palace sign Jobe Bellingham?

Jobe’s rumoured transfer is a confusing one. Whilst there is no doubt Jobe is a talented player, a move to Palace may not be the right decision for either party. With seemingly zero chance of breaking into the starting eleven, limited minutes from the bench would suit neither player nor club. Of course, this depends on how Glasner rotates his team in the upcoming season – should he rotate more heavily than he did towards the end of 23/24, Jobe may find minutes over busy periods. However, he would be facing stiff competition. 

Jobe’s arrival would also allow Ahamada to go out on loan to help his development, which would be a benefit to the Eagles as well – but with a price of £20m, one has to question the value of it. 

Ultimately, however, one factor decides the worth of this transfer – and that is what Oliver Glasner thinks. If Glasner wants Jobe and  thinks he can develop him by giving him enough minutes, then sceptical writers may have to simply trust in the Austrian’s decision making. The enigma of Jobe’s transfer can be argued either way – but if Glasner wants him, that should be enough to sway even the most cynical of Palace fans.

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