“He’s coming on his own merit,” said Thomas Tuchel, after extolling the strengths of Jobe Bellingham.
Jude Bellingham’s younger brother – as is currently the go-to preface to any description of Jobe – couldn’t hide his delight when he got the call from Tuchel to say he was being promoted from U21s captain to be included in the England senior squad.
“It’s an incredible achievement for the family, for both brothers to be called up by their national team,” Tuchel said on Friday, after revealing his squad for the Nations League games with Croatia and Spain. “I saw his excitement straightaway in his smile.”
But Tuchel was also right to highlight the individual qualities of 21-year-old Jobe and the different attributes he can offer the national team, in a different position to his brother.
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Jobe may be following in the footsteps of his 23-year-old brother, coming through at Brimingham, thriving at Borussia Dortmund. But while Jude has carved out his own role as a No 10/second striker, able to connect with or burst beyond striker Harry Kane, Jobe operates in deeper areas.
He is all-action in the Dortmund midfield and while he is more advanced this term than last, Tuchel sees his strengths differently to those of Jude.
Jobe Bellingham is all-action in the Borussia Dortmund midfield – playing deeper in comparison to his brother Jude’s current role
“He’s one of five players for central midfield, more defensive than Jude,” said Tuchel, when asked how he saw Jobe’s position. “Strong on the ball, good physique, big body, very physical player and can keep possession.”
Jobe gave a commanding performance in the recent Der Klassiker, when Dortmund took on rivals Bayern Munich. He has already tasted success in England, too, playing a key role for Sunderland in their promotion season from the Championship in 2024/25, before his transfer to the Bundesliga.
Jobe Bellingham impressed in Borussia Dortmund’s recent clash with Bayern Munich
At the same time, he has made his presence felt with England’s youth teams. U21s boss Lee Carsley, who made Jobe captain of his side, played a significant role in his promotion for this camp.
“Lee is speaking very highly of him, he’s the standout player for a long time, the captain of the U21s,” said Tuchel. “The door should always be open for special performances over a long period of time and that’s what Jobe has done.
“He’s a regular starter at Dortmund and very influential.”
Jobe Bellingham has been captain of England U21s
A suspension for Myles Lewis-Skelly, which will rule him out of the Croatia fixture, and injury to fellow central midfielder Alex Scott has opened the door for Jobe’s introduction to the senior set-up. His gain is Kobbie Mainoo’s loss.
The Manchester United midfielder has long been touted as the future of that England engine room, the technician able to operate in front of the defence, breaking up opposition attacks and getting on the ball to conduct play. It shouldn’t be forgotten Mainoo has already started a European Championship final for England.
But he didn’t get a minute at this summer’s World Cup and the hint on Friday from Tuchel was Jobe may have overtaken Mainoo. Certainly, the new arrival has an opportunity over the next week or so to seize his chance.
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“Kobbie had a difficult spell with his team, and missed a lot of matches,” said Tuchel, when asked why Mainoo, who withdrew with injury from the last camp, didn’t get another call this time.
“In the meantime, it was Jobe who impressed in the same period of time.
“The door is always open, the door is open for the younger ones to overtake or make their mark and that’s just a sign of the competition in the centre of midfield.”
Brother Jude was 17 when he made his England debut November 2020. Six years on, Jobe is primed to pull on the Three Lions jersey for the first time himself. Thursday could be a big day for the Bellingham family – and a significant one for the future direction of this England team.
England squad in full
Goalkeepers: Jordan Pickford, Jason Steele, James Trafford.
Defenders: Trent Alexander-Arnold, Djed Spence, Ben White, Ezri Konsa, Jarell Quansah, Jarrad Branthwaite, Marc Guehi, Lewis Hall.
Midfielders: Elliot Anderson, Jude Bellingham, Myles Lewis-Skelly, James Garner, Declan Rice, Josh King, Jobe Bellingham, Morgan Gibbs-White.
Attackers: Rio Ngumoha, Dominic Calvert-Lewin, Harry Kane, Eberechi Eze, Anthony Gordon, Morgan Rogers.
What’s coming up for England?
England face their final two Nations League A3 games this month, knowing a point against Croatia will seal a place in the competition’s quarter-finals.
- England vs Croatia – Thursday, November 12
- Spain vs England – Sunday, November 15