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Topics: Borussia Dortmund, Bundesliga, Football, Football News, Transfers
James Taylor
Topics: Borussia Dortmund, Bundesliga, Football, Football News, Transfers
The Borussia Dortmund boss has been forced to issue a statement about Jobe Bellingham after a damning report.
Bellingham followed in his brother Jude's footsteps in the summer, leaving the Championship to join Bundesliga giants Borussia Dortmund.
But the 19-year-old has struggled to make an impact so far in Germany, starting just two of their opening four league games. He was on the bench again at the weekend, coming on for just 13 minutes in their 1-0 victory over Wolfsburg.
Before the game, Dortmund's sporting director Lars Ricken addressed the situation. Speaking to DAZN, he said: “It’s a pity that we have the topic of Jobe every three or four days before and after the game.
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"The boy is 19 years old. He already performed at the Club World Cup. We don't think in days or weeks, we think in years.
"Jobe has a five-year contract, and we are absolutely convinced that he will make his way here with us. We don't need to constantly talk about Jobe before and after every game."
Dortmund's head coach Niko Kovac has also been asked about Bellingham's struggles to adapt to life in Germany.
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He explained that the midfielder 'still has to grow into this position'.
Kovac has preferred a midfield two of Marcel Sabitzer and Felix Nmecha, while Pascal Gross started last weekend's victory over Heidenheim.
The trio are all vastly more experienced than Bellingham and have each spent at least 12 months at Dortmund
Despite Kovac and Ricken defending Bellingham's exclusion, the lack of game time has frustrated the player's father Mark.
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Bellingham was taken off at half-time of last month's 3-3 draw with St Pauli, prompting an angry response from his father.
His criticism of the club and sporting director Sebastian Kehl led to him being banned from the Dortmund dressing room.
The situation has raised concerns within the club that the family could become 'increasingly restless' if Bellingham's game time continues to be limited.
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Although it has been a frustrating start to the season for the teenager, he is expected to receive more opportunities given Dortmund's involvement in the Champions League and DFB Bokal.
The club will be hoping that their £27m investment pays off, as Bellingham was Dortmund second most expensive signing ever.
By comparison. Jude became the most expensive 17-year-old in history when he moved to Dortmund for an initial £25m fee.
But Ricken and Kovac have continued to call for patience with Jobe as he adapts to a new league.