Jobe Bellingham don get im first call-up to England senior squad, and e fit play alongside older brother Jude for di Nations League game against Croatia on Thursday. If e play, di two brothers go become di first siblings to represent England for 19 years. Na England manager Thomas Tuchel include Jobe for di squad after e promote am from di England U21s where e be captain.
Jobe, 21, dey play for Borussia Dortmund, while Jude, 23, na Real Madrid star and e get 60 caps for England. Tuchel talk say na incredible achievement for di family and e see Jobe excitement straightaway in im smile. Tuchel describe Jobe as central midfielder wey more defensive than Jude, strong on di ball, good physique, big body, very physical player and e can keep possession. Jobe also give commanding performance for Der Klassiker when Dortmund face Bayern Munich. England U21s boss Lee Carsley, wey make Jobe captain, play significant role in im promotion for dis camp. Jobe play key role for Sunderland in dia promotion season from di Championship in 2024/25 before e transfer to di Bundesliga.
Di door open for Jobe because Myles Lewis-Skelly suspension rule am out of di Croatia match and injury to Alex Scott. But former England international Chris Waddle question di selection. Waddle talk say plenty question marks dey over am, and e ask why other Premier League players wey dey play well no dey selected, call am strange. He speculate: “Who knows whether it’s all a favour to his old club Dortmund,” because Tuchel coach Dortmund between 2015 and 2017. Waddle say Jobe done decent job but e never take di team by hand, and e note say competition dey from Joey Veerman, Marcel Sabitzer, Felix Nmecha and Konstantinos Karetsas. Waddle expect say if Jobe play at all, e go probably be for di first game.
Both brothers come through Birmingham City academy and dem play 70 league and cup games between them. Dem never play together for senior match because Jude leave before Jobe break into di first team for 2022. Jude still be di youngest player in Birmingham history after e debut at 16 years and 38 days for 2019. Fans still remember dem: Craig Courtney from Tilton Talk fan podcast talk say fans love di fact say both of dem care, dem wear dia hearts on dia sleeves and help Birmingham when di club dey fight relegation. Courtney say e go be incredibly proud moment for Birmingham if dem play together.
Birmingham don suffer for recent years, but mood dey change. Di club dey top of di Championship after 15 games and dem get plans for new 62,000-capacity stadium by 2030-31. Courtney add say argument dey say none of this possible without di fees wey dem receive for Jude and Jobe. Di brothers don move on with dia careers, but dia memories live on at St Andrew’s.
