SUNDERLAND, ENGLAND - OCTOBER 1: Jobe Bellingham of Sunderland celebrates after he opens the scoring with a long range shot during the Sky Bet Championship match between Sunderland AFC and Derby County FC at Stadium of Light on October 1, 2024 in Sunderland, England. (Photo by Ian Horrocks/Sunderland AFC via Getty Images)
EFL pundit names ‘brilliant’ gem as Sunderland player of the season so far, it’s not Chris Rigg.
One Sunderland star has been tipped as their ‘best player’ after the start to the Championship season.
Sunderland boss Regis Le Bris has managed to get the very best out of his side up until this point of the campaign.
With six points in their opening eight games, which sees Sunderland sit top of the Championship, the Black Cats’ start has been nothing short of phenomenal, and it simply highlights the brilliant job that the French boss has done up until this point.
In particular, the midfield has shone up until this point, with Chris Rigg notably taking all of the plaudits so far this campaign, with him proving to be brilliant at just the age-of-17.
However, one other prominent player in the Black Cats’ side has also proven to be incredible at this point, and he has even been tipped above Rigg as Sunderland’s ‘best player’.
READ MORE: Roberto Carlos reacts to Jobe Bellingham strike for Sunderland against Derby County
Jobe Bellingham of Sunderland celebrates after he opens the scoring with a long range shot during the Sky Bet Championship match between Sunderland…
Photo by Ian Horrocks/Sunderland AFC via Getty Images
Sunderland star Jobe Bellingham given praise after brilliant start to season
Sunderland star Jobe Bellingham was integral for the Black Cats in their victory against Derby County, and it was by no means out of character for the midfielder, who has done well as part of Le Bris’ side.
He bagged an incredible finish from 25-yards out against the Rams, and it has highlighted just how crucial he has been up until this moment in the campaign.
Per Second Tier Podcast on X, EFL Pundit Ryan Dilks said: “They [Sunderland] went ahead [vs Derby County] through a screamer by Jobe Bellingham, an absolute cracker it was.
“Over the course of Sunderland’s great start, we’ve singled out several of their players, but I think bellingham has been their best player so far this season.
“This goal tops off what a brilliant start he’s had this season.”
Jobe Bellingham performances will be integral for Sunderland’s success
Despite just bagging his first goal of the 2024/25 Championship campaign against Derby County, he has been crucial both on an offensive and defensive front for Sunderland.
He has played every single minute of Championship action up until this point, an incredible achievement and showing of trust by the French boss for a player who is only 19-years-old.
Per Sofascore, Bellingham has averaged 49.9 touches per 90 minutes, whilst also tallying an average of 27.5 accurate passes per game.
The Black Cats star is clearly integral for Sunderland, and is incredibly versatile in the centre-of-the-park, and that is massively important for Le Bris, who has had to deal with injuries in the midfield up until this point.
