Frankfurt, Dortmund, or staying at Sunderland? Jude Bellingham’s younger brother, Jobe Bellingham, is currently the talk of the town. Will he also be in Football Manager 2024?
Jobe Bellingham celebrated his biggest success to date with AFC Sunderland at the weekend. Thanks to a last-minute goal from Tom Watson, the Black Cats won 2-1 in the Championship playoffs, securing promotion from the second division to the Premier League.
Although Jobe Bellingham did not score in this match, he pulled the strings in midfield. Whether he will still be playing for Sunderland next season is questionable. Numerous clubs are interested in the 19-year-old, including Borussia Dortmund. This is the club where his brother Jude Bellingham rose to world prominence and attracted the attention of Real Madrid.
On the real pitch, the parallels between the brothers are unmistakable – and yet they are currently following different paths. While Jobe Bellingham plays a more central role at Sunderland, Jude Bellingham is much more offensive at Real.
Personality, attributes – everything is promising
Given his real-life development, the question arises in Football Manager 2024: Should you sign Jobe Bellingham? After all, the Englishman is still only 17 years old in the game – and therefore still cheap?
Looking at the superficial facts, the answer is quickly answered: No – at least not for smaller clubs. The midfielder’s market value is €12 million, and his virtual weekly salary is €8,750. The back door of a loan with an option to buy remains closed, as Jobe Bellingham is already considered a key player at Sunderland in FM24.
For clubs with the appropriate budget, however, it may still be worth taking a closer look. In the game, he is described as having a relatively professional personality – an advantage in terms of development potential and behavior off the pitch. His personality can also be further improved through mentoring.
Shadow striker with a guarantee of goals?
Jobe Bellingham is also at home in central midfield in Football Manager. Unlike in real life, he is recommended to play in a more offensive role there – for example as a shadow striker. Alternatively, he can also be deployed as a striker or pressing forward in the number nine position.
His attributes are fundamentally sound: with solid physical stats (12 speed, 11 agility, 12 strength), he has what it takes to create chances. Technically, the 17-year-old is already good, which increases his chances of scoring – 13 in finishing, 14 in ball control and technique.
Mentally, the picture is mixed: his strong nerves (15) stand out positively. At the same time, with a rating of 9 for decision-making, he shows some weaknesses in his game intelligence. Logically, however, this also affects his other roles in midfield.
Different developments
Experience reports from the community paint a mixed picture: some players report accurate performances as a striker, others report slumps.
In our game, Jobe Bellingham scored five goals in 42 second division games in the 2025/26 season – as a midfielder in an AI-controlled team. Of his 52 shots, just under half were on target. This tally provides some initial indications, but does not allow for a clear verdict. The playing system, role, level of opponents and teammates – there are many other factors to consider.
In any case, the development is promising: after two seasons, Bellingham’s market value rose from €12 million to €25 million. His attributes have also improved. In our game, at 19 years of age, he is well on his way to becoming a complete player. That’s why Jobe Bellingham is a FM24 pro to keep an eye on. Whether as a box-to-box midfielder, advanced playmaker, shadow striker or up front, Bellingham’s attribute profile allows him to play a variety of roles.
However, you shouldn’t expect too much from him – he’s not quite ready to be the wonder kid of Football Manager 2024. And the new Jude? With a little luck, patience, and the right teammates, maybe.