Take a closer look at Jobe Bellingham’s performance for Sunderland in central midfield following the team’s 3-0 win over Sheffield Wednesday.
Pierre Ekwah’s early injury in the first half of Sunderland’s win over QPR forced a reshuffle at the heart of the Black Cats’ midfield
.Ekwah’s partnership with Dan Neil in the team’s engine room has proven to be fruitful, with both men starting the team’s first six matches this season.
However, with Corry Evans and Jay Matete sidelined through injury, they appear to lack depth when it comes to Sunderland’s central midfield options beyond their starting XI.
With Ekwah absent, Jobe Bellingham was asked to move from the number 10 position to a slightly deeper role in the Black Cats’ final four matches, demonstrating his versatility after playing in a central position.
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The 18-year-old still managed to nail down senior positions, as Sunderland dominated possession against QPR (who were reduced to 10 men), Cardiff and Sheffield Wednesday, while winning 3-1 against Blackburn has demonstrated an open case.
Bellingham has adapted well to this somewhat new position, completing 57 of 62 passes (according to Wyscout) in Wednesday’s 3-0 win and regularly dropping deeper to receive the ball.
Clearly, more defensive responsibility has been handed to Neil, who rotated with Ekwah earlier in the campaign, while Trai Hume also drifted into midfield when Sunderland were in possession.
As a result, Bellingham was always able to make plays with the ball and participate in his teammates’ attacks.
Ekwah, who has been sidelined with an amputated leg, could be available for Wednesday’s match against Watford at the Stadium of Light and is likely to return straight to the starting line-up once he is fully fit.
After signing for Sunderland in January, Ekwah had to wait for his chance to break into the first team as head coach Tony Mowbray wanted the Frenchman to improve his defensive and ball-keeping qualities.
Bellingham will also need to improve on this side of the game as Sunderland haven’t had much of the ball but have shown defensive awareness, winning five of six defensive duels before Wednesday while also making four interceptions.
Ekwah’s return could mean Bellingham moves back into the top flight, where he will face competition from Alex Pritchard and Bradley Dack, but the teenager’s adjustments in the last four games This, with Sunderland winning three, is encouraging.