"Could be swapping places" - Sunderland: Pundit urges Jobe Bellingham to ignore Crystal Palace, West Ham noise | OneFootball

The pundit has spoken exclusively to FLW about Crystal Palace and West Ham United's interest in the midfielder.

Carlton Palmer has advised Jobe Bellingham to block out the noise coming from the Premier League in January and see out this season with Sunderland.

This comes after Crystal Palace and West Ham United had reportedly revealed an interest in the young midfielder after his bright start to the campaign. According to TBR Football, the top flight duo are not the only teams keeping a keen eye on the 19-year-old, with German sides Borussia Dortmund and RB Leipzig also interested, while Ligue 1 side Marseille have recently joined the chase.

It is set to be a busy winter window for the Black Cats, who will be hoping to keep hold of the talented teenager along with Chris Rigg, who has been targeted by Manchester United over the last few months.

Nevertheless, with Sunderland's position in the Championship currently so strong, January could be a difficult month. Regis Le Bris will be hoping to keep hold of his young stars as they look for a return to the Premier League, over seven years since they were relegated.

Palmer gives Bellingham warning

While it will be an exciting time for Bellingham to see his name linked with clubs like Palace and West Ham, he must take time in any decision that he makes.

The two London clubs are having a difficult season, and they do not seem to be able to push themselves away from danger - with the Eagles in particular in a lot of danger at the moment.

Speaking exclusively to Football League World, the former England and Sheffield Wednesday midfielder, Palmer, has instructed the teenage superstar to think before any decision is made.

He said: "Crystal Palace and West Ham are eyeing up Jobe Bellingham. Of course, he's having a fantastic season for Sunderland who are top of the league. They're not the only club that's interested in Jobe Bellingham.

"He needs gametime and Crystal Palace have given that to the young players who've gone there as part of their development and then they’ve gone on to play at bigger clubs.

"I think it would be a good move, if you look at Crystal Palace, Jobe might help them to stay in the Premier League, but as it stands, at this moment in time, Sunderland could be swapping places with Crystal Palace.

"I don't think that will be the case if I'm being honest, I think Crystal Palace will still be in the Premier League come next season. But it's interesting that the clubs that are down at the bottom of the league, like Crystal Palace and West Ham, are struggling."

Palmer continued to say: "I think Jobe's destined for a big club like his brother, I think he's destined for top stuff, but it depends on what Crystal Palace are prepared to pay and what West Ham are prepared to pay.

"If you’re Jobe, why would you? You're enjoying your football, there's no rush to move on and you're a young player. I wouldn't be rushing to leave Sunderland right now. Get them promoted and then see, you might want a year in the Premier League.

"Why go to a club and not play? But having said that, if he went to Crystal Palace or West Ham, you would expect him to play. More so at Crystal Palace."

Bellingham must see out the season with Sunderland

Although it will be exciting for the 19-year-old to see his name linked with clubs in both the Premier League and across Europe, he must maintain his focus and see this season out with Sunderland.

The Black Cats have shown great faith in Bellingham, despite his young age, and he has repaid them with fantastic performances, proving himself to be a threat to nearly everyone in the Championship.

His game has adapted in 2024/25, and while he perhaps was a more natural goalscorer last season, he has matured into a more complete midfielder in this campaign and, with goals coming from elsewhere in the team, he has been allowed to dictate play in the middle of the park more.

Bellingham's maturity on the ball is way beyond his years, and not many in the Championship have the ability to carry the ball forward quite like he can.

In time, he will reach similar heights to that of his brother, but there is no rush. Sunderland are on course to be in the battle for promotion, and having that experience will prove vital as his career grows.