Brighton Chase Key Midfield Signing With ‘Big Future Ahead’

After spending almost £200 million in the last transfer window, Brighton & Hove Albion are looking to bolster their squad with the acquisition of Championship star Jobe Bellingham. The Sunderland midfielder has impressed in this Championship campaign, helping the Black Cats push for a return to the Premier League. His performances have seen many Premier League clubs spark their interest in the 19-year-old.

Brighton in the Race to Sign Jobe Bellingham

What Would Bellingham Bring to the Seagulls?

According to CaughtOffside, top Premier League teams including Chelsea, Manchester United and Brighton are eying up a summer move. There is good reason for this. The former Birmingham midfielder resembles parts of his older brother, Jude Bellingham. His versatility has proved to be very important. He has played defensive midfield, attacking midfield and striker during his time in the northeast. This fits perfectly with Brighton’s squad of versatile players, ready to adapt to a formation change/injury.

His on-the-ball qualities have also impressed many. Being in the centre of the pitch, he is normally crowded by opposing players. Still, his ball control and strength allow him to hold onto the ball, before showing off his maturity and composure to release the ball to one of his teammates. This sense of calm and composure fits what Fabian Hurzeler wants in a midfielder. The prospect of  Carolos Baleba-Jobe Bellingham double-pivot would excite a lot of Brighton fans, with the two midfielders able to compliment each other with their own skill set.

He also has a keen eye for a goal contribution. Despite playing in a deeper role this season, he has four goals and three assists this season. That is one G/A off his tally last season, in 10 games less. 

Who Else Is Interested in the Championship Star?

CaughtOffside understands that Chelsea have the strongest interest in him currently, with Arsenal, Tottenham and Manchester United also being linked. Along with Brighton, bitter rivals Crystal Palace are also keeping tabs on the midfielder. There is also interest abroad with him possibly taking a similar route to his brother. German outfits Borussia Dortmund and Bayer Leverkusen are also admires of Bellingham. 

Despite Brighton not being the biggest team linked to Bellingham, they are well placed in the race due to the fact that they can offer him regular game time, whereas some of the bigger clubs may not be able to offer that at this stage.  He also fits with the club’s main aim as one key scout said he has a “big future ahead” which fits with the Seagull’s aim to assemble valuable young talents.

Wherever he goes, he will want to make his own impact on the game. After seeing what his older brother has done in Dortmund and Madrid, he will be hoping for similar success. His former boss Tony Mowbray said: “I think he’s trying to create his own identity. He doesn’t want to live off the back of his brother’s name; he wants to be the footballer that he is and show people what he can do.”