After impressing for Borussia Dortmund in the early stages of 2026/27, midfielder Jobe Bellingham was rewarded with a maiden senior England call-up from head coach Thomas Tuchel for the November international break. We examine why BVB’s No.7 merited his selection…
Now in his second full season at Dortmund, things are beginning to take shape for Bellingham. Following in the footsteps of his older brother Jude – who spent three successful seasons at Signal Iduna Park between 2020 and 2023 – was always going to be a challenge for the young midfielder. But so far this term, the 21‑year‑old has built on the solid foundations laid last season, producing increasingly frequent displays of burgeoning consistency, maturity and grit in the middle of the park at the start of 2026/27.
Nailing down a starting spot in Dortmund’s midfield is no easy feat, especially amidst stiff competition from the likes of Felix Nmecha, Joey Veerman and Marcel Sabitzer. Yet the young Englishman has seemingly earned Niko Kovač’s trust, starting seven of Borussia’s nine Bundesliga fixtures this campaign to help BVB head into the international break level on points with reigning champions Bayern Munich.
Watch: The best of Jobe Bellingham
The best of Jobe Bellingham
Speaking after confirmation of his place in Tuchel’s England squad, Bellingham humbly thanked his club boss for the confidence shown in him up to this point. “I’m grateful to my coach, Niko Kovač. My development and the fact that I was selected for the national team are largely thanks to him and the coaching staff. I’m really happy, and I want to keep working hard and developing further,” he said.
Kovač’s faith in Bellingham is certainly justified too, on account of the Englishman’s committed displays across the pitch. Alongside a high running output – which has seen the No.7 record 589 intensive runs, the second‑most at the club behind Daniel Svensson’s league‑leading 789 – Bellingham’s tenacity is evidenced in the 19 duels he averages every 90 minutes, of which he wins a very respectable 57 percent.
Additionally, the 21‑year‑old has managed more sprints per 90 this season (19) than he did in 2025/26 (14).
Watch: Kovač on Jobe’s England call-up
Kovač on Jobe’s England call-up
However, it’s not only in his athleticism that Bellingham has improved this term. He has also become braver and more present in the final third. Though a first Bundesliga goal continues to elude him, Dortmund’s No.7 has nevertheless been directly involved in a shot at goal every 36 minutes in 2026/27, compared to every 64 minutes the previous campaign.
What’s more, Bellingham has registered two league assists this season, meaning he already has twice as many goal involvements as he managed across 32 Bundesliga appearances last term. Both assists set up winning goals for Maximilian Beier in 1-0 victories over VfB Stuttgart and Eintracht Frankfurt, which highlights Bellingham’s ability to deliver in decisive moments for Dortmund.
Watch: Dortmund 1-0 Frankfurt – highlights
Borussia Dortmund 1-0 Eintracht Frankfurt
Now, though, Jobe must continue to elevate his game on the senior international stage for England. Although he has 12 U21 caps to his name – of which he was captain for eight of those – a senior call-up poses a new challenge, but one that Kovač is confident his young charge will rise to.
In the wake of the squad announcement, the BVB boss heaped praise on the midfielder, saying: “He really is a complete football freak. He studies his own game and the games of other players to learn from the best in his position. He’s a really great lad and he has an excellent attitude. I’m really happy for him that he can now wear the jersey of his national team next to his brother.”
The excitement of playing alongside his older brother was also unsurprisingly shared by Jobe, who described it as “a huge dream” in conversation with DAZNelaborating: “Since we were young, we reenacted that so many times in the garden or wherever, in the park, playing for England together […] I don’t want to jinx it or say it too early, but I’m really excited.”
Jobe will have the chance to line up alongside Jude when England host Croatia in the UEFA Nations League on 12 November, ahead of a trip to Spain three days later.