FOUNDED1879
@founded1879.co.uk1/ 🧵 Sunderland have missed Jobe Bellingham recently.
Here’s a recent Twitter thread we did rejigged for Bluesky analysing his 24/25 season so far based on:
🔴 540 mins in the Championship
⚪️ Key strengths, areas to improve
🔴Stats vs peers and team role in Le Bris’ system.
Let’s dive in: 👇
#SAFC
2/ 🔴 Defensive Duties: Jobe averages 2.4 tackles per 90, higher than Dan Neil’s 1.5 but neither necessarily are a standout here league-wide. His (PAdj) interceptions (0.9) show his advanced role perhaps limits opportunities to intercept.
3/ ⚪️ Jobe excels in stopping players dribbling with the ball with 80% success rate vs Neil’s 40%. This highlights his timing and 1v1 defensive skills. However, aerial duels (41.7% won) are an area, especially given his size, for improvement.
#SAFC
4/ 🔴 Passing & Progression: Jobe’s 80.9% pass accuracy is great but the best in the league have better averages (85-90%). His 3.0 progressive passes/90 show he moves play forward well though. He adds 1.5 key passes/90 but has 0 through-balls, again an area for improvement.
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5/ ⚪️ Jobe’s role leans toward retaining possession over riskier play, in line with Le Bris’ system with the likes of Mundle, Roberts, and Rigg providing more of the creativity. Jobe therefore buildups play but with greater emphasis on a more safety first approach.
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6/ 🔴 Ball Carrying: 47.5% progressive carries/90 show he drives play but slightly below average for comparable midfielders. Again, 0.5 successful dribbles/90 highlights room to improve in beating players & creating space.
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7/ ⚪️ Progressive carries = moving the ball >5m closer to goal. Dribbles = beating defenders to open passing lanes. Jobe excels at the former but potentially needs to develop the latter further in order to better unlock defenses.
8/ 🔴 Discipline & Ball Retention: Jobe averages 9.8 turnovers/90, slightly high here but potentially due to receiving the ball under pressure. His shielding of the ball is very strong, and he commits just 1.2 fouls/90, showing discipline and avoiding risky free kicks.
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9/ ⚪️ On the attack: Jobe now has 2 goals this season (25yd strike vs Derby a gem!) and one assist. Albeit it was 1 at time of data. Also, Sofascore credits him with another assist (Clarke vs Cardiff). Last season’s 7 goals show his scoring potential but he did play as a 9 at times too.
10/ 🔴 Jobe vs Neil:
Data between Jobe & Neil highlight Jobe’s tackling success (80% vs dribblers), and calmness under pressure. Neil offers stronger aerial ability (75% headers won) and passing consistency but is in a more disciplined role. Maybe they’d be better suited to swapping roles?
11/ ⚪️ Final Thoughts: Jobe, at 19, is a possession-focused midfielder excelling in tackling and reliability. Areas for improvement are in turnovers & progressive passes. His potential is huge, & Sunderland have a player who could reach the very top. An undeniable talent & huge miss of late.
#SAFC