"I am sick to death" - Claim made on Sunderland star Jobe Bellingham after EFL reveal | OneFootball

FLW's Sunderland fan pundit has given his verdict on Jobe Bellingham's place in the Championship team of the season

This article is part of Football League World's 'Terrace Talk' series, which provides personal opinions from our FLW Fan Pundits regarding the latest breaking news, teams, players, managers, potential signings and more…

Jobe Bellingham was Sunderland’s only representative in the Championship team of the year.

The midfielder earned his place alongside Ao Tanaka from Leeds United, who also had Dan James and Jayden Bogle in the lineup.

Norwich City’s Josh Sargent and Borja Sainz were also selected, as well as the trio of Burnley players Maxime Esteve, CJ Egan-Riley and James Trafford.

Harrison Burrows and Gustavo Hamer were also given the nod, representing Sheffield United, with the latter also earning the overall player of the year award.

Jobe Bellingham deserved team of the year recognition

When asked whether Bellingham deserved to be in the team, FLW’s Sunderland fan pundit Jordan Newcombe backed the decision 100 per cent.

He expects the teenager to go on to big things, and believes that this recognition has nothing to do with the player sharing the same surname as his brother Jude Bellingham.

“After watching the EFL awards I will obviously put into perspective, put my bias aside, and say there are a lot of good options for the centre-mid position,” Newcombe told Football League World.

“The no.8 type role, and obviously Jobe is one of those players that fits well, he’s been great this season. 100 per cent, I agree with that decision.

“Jobe Bellingham being in the Championship team of the season has got to be the most realistic and deserved thing this season.

“I am sick to death of hearing he’s only big and he’s only getting chosen because of his surname, his surname has nothing to do with it.

“In a few years’ time, whether he’s with Sunderland or if he’s moved away, this man will become a big star like his brother.

“Is he at the standard of Jude? Absolutely no, he’s not, but has he got the potential to reach that limit? 100 per cent, I don’t doubt that in my mind.”

Brownhill and Azaz aren’t as good as Bellingham

Newcombe feels Josh Brownhill and Finn Azaz were also worthy contenders, but he believes that the 19-year-old was the rightful pick from the division.

“It’s going to cause controversy, it’s a hard one to pick because you’ve got loads there, you’ve got Bellingham, you’ve got Azaz at Middlesbrough, you’ve got Brownhill from Burnley, you’ve got other candidates, which have got a really good opportunity to get into this whole thing,” he added.

“And I understand certain peoples’ frustrations, they might not like Jobe being in there, they might not rate him, but 100 per cent Jobe being in that team of the season, bias aside, was 100 per cent the correct decision.

“Now, in my opinion, when it comes to it, there should’ve been another Sunderland player in there in the name of Trai Hume.

“Bogle is up there, and I’ve always said this but Hume should’ve been in there because he’s done a lot, especially recently.

“But, overall, over the last seven, eight months, he’s been decent since the start of the season.

“He’s been great, obviously he had the first couple of seasons to get into rhythm, get into his best position, because obviously in the last couple of seasons we’ve had no striker so we’ve had to play Jobe as striker because of his height.

“We’ve seen it against Leeds, he scored.

“This now has been the middle, next season is where it’s going to be the Jobe of game-in, game-out, absolutely incredible, that’s what you’ll see next season.

“And over the last couple of months of the season, seeing how he was 100 per cent I’m going to say he deserves to be in it.

“When it comes to looking at Jobe, standalone, yes he deserved it 100 per cent, and I think he’s proved that.

“Yes, he’s had a few bad games, but who doesn’t? Every player in the world, no matter what age you are, everyone has a bad game and everyone has issues with suspensions and injuries, it all works in one.”

Sunderland are fourth in the Championship table, and will face QPR on the final day of the regular season this Saturday.

Bellingham’s strong start to the season can’t be forgotten

While Sunderland’s campaign has tailed off in the last couple of months, it can’t be forgotten how strong they were up until around February and March.

Bellingham was a key part of Régis Le Bris’ side as they maintained pace with the impressive front three.

Falling behind caused the team to spiral, with their focus now on preparing for the play-offs, which shouldn’t detract from how well Sunderland have performed throughout the year.

The Black Cats should have a representative on this team of the season, and Bellingham is a very worthy option for that honour.