Borussia Dortmund may be thriving under Niko Kovač this season — but not every player is riding the wave of success. Former Bayern Munich midfielder Dietmar Hamann has sounded the alarm over Jobe Bellingham, calling the 20-year-old England midfielder Dortmund’s “only cause for concern” amid their otherwise impressive form.
In his Sky Sport column, Hamann praised Kovač’s revitalized Dortmund, who have found consistency and spirit, yet he didn’t hold back when assessing Bellingham’s early struggles:
“The team looks united and driven — finally consistent. But the only problem seems to be Jobe Bellingham. Young, expensive, and so far, not even half as good as Jude. It’s not getting any easier for him.”
It’s a brutal comparison — especially when your older brother happens to be Jude Bellingham, Real Madrid’s dazzling superstar. But for Jobe, life in the Bundesliga has been far from glamorous. Despite high hopes following his summer move, he’s started just three of Dortmund’s eight games across all competitions, tallying only 281 minutes without a goal or assist to his name.
His latest outing — a 69-minute appearance in Dortmund’s 4-1 Champions League victory over Athletic Club — failed to convince critics. Still, manager Kovač came to his defence:
“He made one or two bad passes, yes, but the boy is 20. There’s nervousness, and that’s natural. I was very pleased with his attitude.”
Behind the scenes, however, pressure seems to be mounting. Reports suggest that Jobe’s family — particularly his father and advisor, Mark Bellingham — have grown frustrated with his limited role, even confronting Dortmund’s hierarchy in August. While the club has attempted to downplay any tension, whispers of unease have not gone unnoticed.
Now, as Dortmund prepare for a crucial Bundesliga clash against RB Leipzig, all eyes will be on the young midfielder. Can he silence the critics, overcome the inevitable comparisons to his brother, and carve out his own identity in yellow and black?
For now, Hamann’s warning rings loud across Germany — Jobe Bellingham may carry a golden surname, but at Dortmund, he must prove that he can shine on his own.
