Borussia Dortmund has officially agreed to a deal with Sunderland to sign 19-year-old midfielder Jobe Bellingham for up to £31m, making him Sunderland’s most expensive sale to date. The transfer includes an initial £26.96m fee plus £4.2m in add-ons. 

Following the footsteps of his brother

Jobe's move to Dortmund closely mirrors the path of his older brother Jude Bellingham. They are both from Birmingham City’s youth system and have secured transfers to the Bundesliga elite teams.

Jude joined Dortmund at 17, later becoming Bundesliga Player of the Season before moving to Real Madrid. Now, Jobe takes on the same challenge, wearing his first name on his shirt to carve out his own legacy without carrying his brother’s hard-earned fame.

Bellingham’s performance

In an interview, he said he loves playing as a box-to-box midfielder because he can maximise his potential in this position. This fits his role as he is an agile and aggressive player, and his versatility as an athlete allows him to take on the role better. 

Jobe made a strong impression at Sunderland, helping the team win promotion to the Premier League in the 2024â€?5 season. He made 43 appearances, scored four goals, and provided three assists for the team. He was also awarded the Championship’s Young Player of the Year this May. 

Upcoming match preparations

If Bellingham’s move is completed on time, he could play in the upcoming Club World Cup in the United States, from 14 June to 13 July. Dortmund was placed in the Group F alongside teams like Fluminense, Ulsan HD, and Mamelodi Sundowns. 

His brother Jude, currently playing for Real Madrid, is in Group H. Because they’re in different groups, there’s a chance that a brother vs. brother faceoff will happen in the quarter finals. 

The young star’s potential

Jobe has already shown his determination and adaptability. His skills were noticed by the current Sunderland boss, Regis le Bris, and he said, ‘I like him as a number eight because he's an offensive midfielder. He can express his power, his ability to run and his ability to press, to link defence and attack.�/p>

Former Sunderland striker Marco Gabbiadini also believes this transfer is the right step forward for the young star. ‘It’s a way of stepping up, maybe with a little less pressure,�he said.

Did Dortmund make the right call?

Yes. Dortmund made the right call by acquiring Jobe Bellingham as one of their primary players on the roster. His current skills may not be as good as his brother, Jude Bellingham, but his progress towards being a better player is moving fast. 

Even though the transfer set back the team more than £30 million, they just spent their money on one of their best investments. 

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The pitch is no longer ruled by just the old names; a wave of young stars is now in charge. They move fast, think sharp, and play with fire. Under 22, yet built for the big stage, these lads don’t wait for their turn, they take it. From wild sprints to calm moves, they shape the game in bold ways. Discover the top young kings who currently rule the football field.

Lamine Yamal: The boy who runs like fire

Lamine Yamal is not just fast, he blazes down the pitch like fire. At just 17, he plays like he’s been in the game for years. Spain cheers his name, and so does all of Europe. He helped Spain win big in the 2024 European Championship, and now he owns that right wing for Barça. 

Each time he gets the ball, fans hold their breath. His feet move fast, and his brain moves faster. Yamal dribbles past men twice his age like they’re not there, with an average of nearly five dribbles each game. That’s not luck, that’s a raw, sharp skill.

But there’s more, he regularly creates goals for his teammates, having 18 total assists in the 2024-25 season for club and country. That’s wild for someone still in his teens. His shots with his left foot? Clean, strong, and quick. From far out or close in, Yamal can hit the mark playing with joy but hurts the rival with grace. No fear, flow, no doubt, just fire.

Florian Wirtz: Calm mind with sharp feet

Florian Wirtz might not yell on the pitch, but his play speaks loudly. The 21-year-old from Germany makes magic look easy as the heart of Bayer Leverkusen’s attack. Calm but quick, smart but bold, he reads the game like a book. Before he got injured, he had 15 goals and 13 assists in 39 games. 

Wirtz sees gaps no one else sees. From midfield, he slips passes through walls, finding space like water finds cracks. With the ball, he waits, then cuts in with one fast move. He makes six or more chances each game. If he gets back from his ankle issue full and fit, he may just rule the pitch for years to come.

Jude Bellingham: Strong, smart, and still growing

Jude Bellingham plays strongly despite being just 21. He joined Real Madrid and stepped right into the storm. New squad, new rules, but same old Jude. He didn’t blink or fold, he gave 13 goals and 13 assists this year across all competitions for Real. Running, fighting, and leading with stars like Mbappé now in the room, Jude shines.

He excels in exploiting open gaps, passing breaking lines, and hitting 1.5 key passes per game for club and country. He loves shooting, giving Madrid more scoring opportunities. He may not be the flashiest, but he works hard and reads the game, making Jude a formidable presence in crucial matches.

Pau Cubarsí: Ice cold in the back

Pau Cubarsí, an 18-year-old, holds the fort at Barça like a vet, stepping up just before he turned 17. Since then, he’s stayed in the squad like he’s been there for years. He plays cool with no rush and stress, stands tall, reads the play, and keeps his zone clean.

Despite his age, Pau's pass rate is a clean 93.4% in La Liga, keeping the ball moving, smooth and safe. When foes pressure him, he keeps calm, which is rare for someone so young. Coaches trust him, and fans back him. His rivals know his name too, and with the way he plays now, he could be a top rock in defence for the next ten years.

João Neves: The brain in PSG’s midfield

From Portugal to Paris, João Neves made a huge leap. At 20, he joined Paris Saint-Germain from Benfica for �0 million. That’s a lot of cash for someone still so young, but Neves has shown he’s worth it, as he is the brain in the middle. He thinks fast, moves well, and never stops. With nine assists this year for PSG across all competitions, he’s at the heart of every play.

Neves is not loud or bold, but he’s smart, plays simple, quick, and safe. He can shift from defence to attack in two passes. He knows where his mates are and gives them clean balls. When others panic, Neves breathes and chooses the best move. PSG needed a calm mind in midfield, and they got it.

Warren Zaïre-Emery: PSG’s quiet storm

At just 19, Warren Zaïre-Emery is a calm storm in Paris. He keeps things smooth in the midfield with smart passes and sharp moves, and reads the play like a pro. With three goals and an assist this season, he shows he’s more than just neat; he’s bold, too. PSG found a real gem with Zaïre-Emery, and he is only getting started. He wins his duels often, makes the right passes to start the play, and always looks in control.

Why do these stars matter now?

All these lads have one thing in common: age. They are young but play like kings. They don’t fear the game, they shape it. Learning fast, they play hard and want more. Some shine with the ball while others work in silence. Some score goals, others block them. But together, they all help the game grow.

Fans love them, coaches trust them, and scouts chase the next one like them. But for now, these are the names to watch out for, as they light up the pitch, week after week. They prove that age is just a number, and talent knows no limit.

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Real Madrid’s Jude Bellingham claimed he was unfairly sent off. The team’s coach, Carlo Ancelotti, was also angry about the several calls made by the refs after Real Madrid tied 1-1 with Osasuna on February 15, 2025. 

This result prevented Real Madrid from winning in La Liga for three matches. ‘I do not want to go into the details of what was said, but I didn’t insult the referee and I hope they review the footage because it was a misunderstanding, but I am here to apologise to the team anyways� Bellingham said.

Ancelotti slammed the video assistant ref for not acting on three likely penalties he felt were fouls on Vinícius Júnior, Bellingham, and a handball by Alejandro Catena. The Italian coach grew more upset at the start of the second half when the ref gave Osasuna a penalty. 

The video assistant referee (VAR) asked him to check Eduardo Camavinga’s step on Ante Budimir’s foot. The Croatian forward scored from the spot, levelling the game after Kylian Mbappé’s goal in the first half.

‘I believe there were things that have happened in these last three games that everyone has seen and I don’t want to add more, because I’m looking forward to being on the bench in the next game� Ancelotti said.

Ancelotti mentioned that the ref booked him after he pointed out a handball in Osasuna’s box, suggesting the ref should check it on VAR. He noted that the VAR seemed to be activated later.

He also voiced concerns about the red card given to Bellingham, stating that the English player did not insult the ref during the disputes. Ancelotti’s anger adds to Real Madrid's ongoing issues with refs, as the club had already raised concerns about the league’s officials earlier in February 2025.

Real Madrid stays on top of La Liga standings

Real Madrid got a point to stay at the top of La Liga in a close title race. Without a win in their last three games, they hold 51 points, one ahead of Atlético Madrid and three of Barcelona.

Atlético Madrid missed a big chance to take the lead as they drew 1-1 with Celta Vigo at home. They played most of the match with ten men after Pablo Barrios received a red card for a harsh tackle on Pablo Durán in the fourth minute.

Iago Aspas scored a penalty in the 68th minute after Robin Le Normand fouled Borja Iglesias in the box. However, Alexander Sørloth came off the bench to score a late equaliser for Atlético in the 81st minute, saving a crucial point for his team.

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