“I want to show what I can do” – Jobe gets serious | OneFootball

As Jobe Bellingham steps into our club photographer’s studio, he looks surprised. There are two separate sets where the photos for the members’ magazine BORUSSIA are being taken. One features gold and silver balloons on the wall. The other is simply decorated in yellow. “Can I smile?” asks Jobe, before the camera starts clicking. Only in the room with the balloons. On the chair in front of the yellow photo backdrop, a serious, almost grim-looking professional footballer is posed.

Borussia Dortmund is his third club as a professional, following Birmingham City and Sunderland FC. As he takes the time for the interview, the home match against Bayern Munich is just a few days behind him. Jobe comes on as a substitute in the 75th minute, witnesses the late 2-2 equaliser, the missed chance to make it 3-2 and the frustration of the ultimate 3-2 defeat. One of his most intense football matches to date, he says candidly.

“I think in terms of the intensity of the crowd, it’s definitely right up there. I was really pleased with how the fans supported us. Even after the match, even though it was a tough result. I thought they were brilliant from start to finish. The pre-match choreography was absolutely incredible. For me, it’s something I’ve got used to when I play here. But every time something like that happens, it still feels really special. So, yeah, it was really cool.”

Did you notice that the people in the lower stands were literally jumping out of their seats at every tackle and every decision the referee made?“Yes, you could feel that this match was something special for the fans. They’re always brilliant anyway, but when they take it up a notch, the stadium is like a volcano. The fans were fully engaged, both emotionally and physically. That was really cool to see. And hopefully we can experience that more often.”

Speaking of volcanoes: You played for Sunderland, and for many, the Stadium of Light is considered one of the loudest stadiums in England. Could you please try to explain to a Sunderland fan what it’s like to play in Dortmund – and to a BVB fan what it’s like to play in Sunderland, in terms of the support during a home game?“I think, to be honest, that the whole world knows about the fan support in Dortmund. There are so many videos online about our fantastic fans. But to explain it to a Sunderland fan – and really any English fan – it’s a completely different experience because the fans in the stadium are allowed to do certain things, which probably gives them more freedom to be colourful and lively and to support their team with more passion. And I think that would certainly be the case in England too if there were certain rules that allowed them to do so. But here you just get the feeling that the fans have so much influence on a match, which I honestly think is fantastic. It really carries you and plays an important role in the game. That’s cool. And then, to tell a BVB fan something about Sunderland? I don’t know how much they know about the Stadium of Light and the fans there. But you could say it’s quite similar. The fans there are so passionate. One city, one club. It feels as though a whole nation is behind you. The whole of Weahside gets behind the team at the weekend. When you play for Sunderland and stand in the stadium, you sometimes get the feeling that the fans are literally driving the team towards the goal when they’re on the attack, and you can really feel that. There are other stadiums that are just as loud, but what sets this stadium apart is how quickly it can go from quiet to loud. That was the only thing that really surprised me; from the very moment I arrived, it got so loud so quickly that it almost felt like a shock on the pitch, in a good way. That’s how I’d explain it to a BVB fan, I think. I think in England they’re pretty well known for Sunderland having great fans. And I’d definitely agree with that.”

“Like a win for everyone”

“To be honest, I’ve thought about it. It’s the sort of people I want to play for. People I want to embody. I’ve said before, when I was at Sunderland, that I’d hate to play for a club where it doesn’t feel like it matters. That’s part of your decision when you join a club, alongside many other things. It’s a rough-and-ready, close-knit community where people have this love for one another, for their team and for their region. And I’d always want to play in an area like this and represent these people. When you win for people like that, it feels as though it means so much more, and it feels like a victory for everyone. And I know Dortmund quite well by now. It’s exactly the same here. There’s only one team in our city. And everyone, absolutely everyone, comes out on match days to support our team.”

Just like his brother Jude, Jobe took the plunge and moved to the Bundesliga early in his career. To BVB. To a new country, a new culture. On the pitch, the 20-year-old and his teammates have impressed this season with their great efficiency in attack from set-pieces – particularly from free-kicks and corners. A club from Jobe’s homeland has perfected this threat from set-pieces: Arsenal. Some observers even speak of the “Arsenalisation” of modern football.

Anthony Gordon of Newcastle United was recently asked at a press conference to compare football in the Premier League and the Champions League. He said that the style of play in the Champions League is much more open, that all teams try to play football. And he said that the Premier League has become more physical than ever. Almost like a basketball match. Do you agree with that? And where does the Bundesliga actually stand then?“I understand what he means. I think every team fighting for the title repeatedly comes up against teams who, especially when they come to our stadium, are likely to play a bit more defensively because of the atmosphere and the history of this stadium, which is quite natural. That’s also a way to win a football match. That’s why I sometimes feel that league matches are a bit more difficult for us. As far as the Bundesliga is concerned, we have a few home games where we feel we have to break down a deep-lying defence. In away games, there are perhaps longer periods of play where things are a bit more open. And I understand what Anthony Gordon says about the Champions League. I compare it to a game of chess. The matches may feel open, but it seems as though the actions you take on the pitch carry much greater significance and have greater consequences.”

Anthony Gordon also said that the Premier League relies much more on set-pieces than it used to. I get the feeling that Borussia Dortmund pose a major threat from set-pieces this season. So has something changed? What’s happening in football at the moment?“If you look at the Premier League, you can certainly sense and see that. I think football teams all over the world will try to exploit every possible advantage. And set-pieces play a big part in that. I think our team plays so aggressively and physically that you can clearly see how we approach corners. And yes, we’ve been really successful with that. That’s proof that the lads are taking on board the information from the coaching staff and that the people giving us that information are clearly succeeding with it.”

It’s currently a common tactic for many teams to position as many players as possible near the goal line during corner kicks in order to block the goalkeeper. Do you think this tactic will catch on in the long run?“I haven’t really thought about it yet. I suppose that at some point, teams will try to find a way to prevent it. As with every cycle in football, once it becomes a pattern, people eventually think: OK, how can we defend against this? How can we stop it? And it could be the same this time. At some point, it might die down a bit. But at the moment, it seems to be quite widespread in football.”

In your view, can modern football actually become even more athletic and physically demanding than it already is?(laughs) “Yes, it’s hard to imagine a game that’s even more physically demanding. If you look at sports scientists and clubs that have to win and are desperate to win, then I think that in football they’ll always find that next one per cent that gives them an edge over their opponents. There are obviously more matches now, but we could reach a point where we’ve got used to having so many matches, and the players become even fitter and the matches even more physical. I actually think someone like me would definitely enjoy that.”

I watched the Bayern game from the South Stand and said to my friends: “Look at Daniel Svensson. To me, it looks as though he’s about to collapse from exhaustion any moment now” – and then, minutes later, he scores the equaliser!“I think Borussia Dortmund should always play offensively – openly, creatively and flexibly. For me, that’s the essence of a BVB team. I think the way we want to play, the way Borussia Dortmund plays, the way it’s in our DNA, we should play high-intensity football, straight forward. And that’s perhaps why you see some players who look as if they’re about to collapse, as you say.”

“I give it my all”

Finding that one per cent you just mentioned: how much time do you devote to the sport?“Well, a great deal. I’m from Stourbridge, I’m from Birmingham, I’ve lived in Sunderland and I live here now. These aren’t places where I make many social connections. As a footballer, it’s hard to get to know people outside the club. This is probably the first time I’ve spoken about something like this. But it’s part of the job. And I really give everything I can and hope that people see that. And I hope it has an impact, a positive impact. Every day when I come to the training ground, I just try to get better and then feel that the day has been productive. I’d hate to come to the training ground and feel that there was a day when I didn’t make the most of every moment I was here. So I try to get better over the long term. I really try to analyse my game and keep improving.”

His coach has long since noticed this too. Niko Kovac describes Jobe as a sort of model student in his squad: “He’s someone who wants to improve day by day. Whether on the pitch, off the pitch, in video analysis, in individual analysis, in team analysis. He’s a true professional. And I like it when someone knows exactly what they need to get better at such a young age.” Niko Kovac rewards Jobe with playing time.

You were in the starting line-up for six out of seven consecutive Bundesliga matches in January/February. What do you think about that?“That’s good. Physically, I feel as though I could play every second. To be honest, I never really feel tired. Especially when it comes to recovery after matches and getting my body ready for the next game. Maybe that’s because I’m still young. But I feel like I could finish a match and play again straight away. And I really mean that. So if I can play more, I feel really ready and I’m really up for it.”

When you play alongside Felix (Nmecha) in midfield, it looks as though you get on really well and complement each other perfectly.“Yes, definitely. I feel like we’re always discussing little details that others don’t even notice. And I think that helps us enormously. We’re constantly talking about ideas, we talk about matches we’ve watched, about opposing midfielders and how we can incorporate things into our own game. We really do talk a lot about the game, in training, in the changing room. It helps when you get on so well. Felix, Carney, Fabio – we’re often together. And even when we’re not talking about football, we’ve got a real connection. And when we’re out on the pitch, we have similar ideas about the game. We want to be free, we want to be creative, we want to show our strength and our technique. So we’re similar and we complement each other well.”

When I first saw you playing for BVB at the Club World Cup, your focus seemed to be more on attack, on getting the ball straight towards the goal and even scoring yourself. Do you feel that your game has developed differently during your time here?“Yes, definitely. I feel that the Club World Cup was different for me. Because of my role in the team, I had the freedom to play a bit more offensively. Before, at my previous club, I was naturally a bit more defensive, which in my opinion is the direction my game is heading in anyway as I get older. But in certain moments, when I have the freedom to play further forward, I don’t feel like I can’t do it. I think I can play as a defensive midfielder, as an attacking midfielder and, if necessary, as an attacking midfielder positioned further forward. I feel really comfortable in the centre of the pitch, where I can turn and bring my teammates into play and also control the tempo. I don’t mind playing in different positions. But I’ve certainly been a bit more defensive recently, which, to be honest, I quite like.”

Am I wrong? You seem to be happier now than you’ve been since you’ve been here in Dortmund.“Yes, probably. I’ve started to find a better rhythm. When a young player gets to play a run of games for the team, you can see how he develops. Even if that means you might fail at first. You get to know your game, get to know your teammates, get to know the formation, the way of playing, the style and the stadium. And the more you play, the more you find your rhythm. I feel that by getting more playing time, I’ve built up my confidence and gained more presence. I’ll be here for a long time yet and I’m glad I’m finding this rhythm.”

“Arm on the back of the chair,” club photographer Alexandre Simoes calls out to Jobe as he perches on a solitary chair in the all-yellow studio. The camera clicks. The flash goes off. The 1.91-metre-tall athlete looks almost too imposing for the somewhat ageing seat. After the photo session is over, Jobe looks around again. Which setting did he prefer: the one with the balloons, where he was allowed to smile? Or the all-yellow one, where the serious Jobe was called for? “The yellow one.” It suits the young lad from near Birmingham, who is getting serious in Dortmund with his ambitions, his hunger for more. That remains unfulfilled. Even though BVB are no longer in contention in the DFB-Pokal or the Champions League this season.

“I want the ball”

What is the right mindset now to get as many points as possible from the rest of the season?“Every professional – and I always tell myself this too – should never view these moments in the season as the end of the season. That’s certainly not the way I approach my work, day in, day out. And that’s because I have an inner goal. I want to get better. In every game I play, I want to win. I want the ball. I want to show what I can do. To show what I can do, both physically and technically. It’s about contributing to a process that ultimately brings us the result we want. That has to do with discipline, as the manager likes to say. And making that a habit. Then we’ll get the right results too.”

“I’d definitely like to get forward more and contribute more in the final third. That’s something I keep telling myself I need to do more of. But in my role, you have to be disciplined. You have to think about your teammates and how your own actions affect the team.”

“I do have a bit of hay fever, but no, it’s great to have this sort of weather. I had no idea it could be so lovely here. And knowing that it’s going to get even better is brilliant. Training sessions in the sun are always much more fun. You want to stay outside as long as possible and improve. So, yes, I’m really enjoying it.”

At this time of year, people start going out more again and sit outside in cafés and restaurants. Will we bump into you in Dortmund over the coming weeks? Or do you get recognised too often and prefer to stay at home?“Well, I do get recognised often, which I take as a compliment. When you’re in Dortmund, people are always so friendly, so warm. I’ll be enjoying the sunshine in the city. So if you see me, feel free to say hello.”

I’ve got to ask you something about your German. How’s it coming along?“Not great yet. I’ve learnt a few phrases, a few words, which I won’t say right now. I take every opportunity to learn from the people in the changing room or from the staff. I’m really eager to learn.”

I’d just like to teach you three new words: “Mach weiter so.” That means “Keep up the good work” in English.“Okay, perfect. Thank you very much.”