Niko Kovac has addressed the limited playing time of Jobe Bellingham since his transfer to Borussia Dortmund from Sunderland for approximately €30 million this summer.
The England U21 international has made only two starts across all competitions, with his most recent appearance being a mere 13 minutes in Dortmund's 1-0 victory against Wolfsburg.
In an interview with Kicker, Dortmund's coach explained the rationale behind Bellingham's reduced minutes. Kovac stated, “Everyone wants to play more. Everyone wants to play every minute. But then you only have eleven players.”
He further emphasized the competitive nature of the team, noting, “When you sign a contract here, it’s not only well paid, but it also means there’s a lot of competition.”
Kovac acknowledged Bellingham's talent but highlighted the necessity for the player to adapt to his new environment. He remarked, “He’s a player with high potential, but also one who needs to grow into his role here,” referring to the transition from Sunderland as a “big step.”
Additionally, Kovac cautioned against placing undue pressure on Bellingham due to his familial connection to Jude Bellingham. “You shouldn't make the mistake of putting too much pressure on him just because of the name,” he said, adding, “I don’t think that does him any favours."
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