Sunderland have had striker issues for coming up to two whole seasons now. But Jobe Bellingham has eased those woes of late.
Although he’s not got the nouse of a striker like Ross Stewart, Bellingham has been a minor revelation in the no.9 spot for Sunderland.
The 18-year-old has played in both deeper and more attacking midfield roles this season, as well as playing as the lone striker on a few occasions.
So far this season, Bellingham has scored seven goals in 42 Championship outings; more than Nazariy Rusyn, Luis Hemir, and Mason Burstow have combined (three goals in the Championship this season).
Sunderland striker woes as Nazariy Rusyn rumours emerge
Going into the summer transfer window, Sunderland will once again be on the lookout for new strikers.
For Kristjaan Speakman, it simply can’t be another window where the obvious need (a prolific striker) is overlooked to bolster areas in which Sunderland already have depth and quality.
And the need for a striker has become even more pressing after recent rumours surrounding Rusyn have emerged online.
It’s claimed, albeit very speculatory, that Rusyn wants to leave Sunderland this summer following a tough maiden season in England.
Burstow will then return to parent club Chelsea and leave Hemir as the only recognised first-team striker.
But Hemir could well become a contested name in the summer transfer window.
Jobe Bellingham form sends stark warning to Luis Hemir
Watching Bellingham take the no.9 spot and help transform the club’s fortunes will have sent a strong message to Hemir.
Hemir’s main criticism was his lack of work-rate; when playing as the lone striker in a very fast and dynamic Sunderland side, the striker must put in the hard yards and work down into the channels as well as behind the line of defence.
Hemir simply didn’t do that, whereas Bellingham does that and also provides a bit of quality in the final third.
With three games of the season left, how much more we’ll see of Hemir remains to be seen; since his last start vs QPR, the 20-year-old has played just a few minutes of football in two substitute appearances.
So for Hemir, the best he can do right now is show Mike Dodds and then whoever the next Sunderland manager is, in training, that he is ready to work and that he does have the fitness to play Championship football.
Right now, Bellingham (an attacking midfielder by nature) is Sunderland’s best striker, when really Hemir should be the one leading the way.
And if it stays this way then Hemir could be making a swift exit from Wearside in the coming months.