Jordan Henderson stunned by Jobe Bellingham in new Sunderland message
Jordan Henderson was full of praise for Jobe Bellingham after his performance in Sunderland’s Championship play-off final win.
Sunderland are back in the Premier League for the first time in eight years after Tommy Watson’s injury-time winner saw them beat Sheffield United 2-1 at Wembley on Saturday in dramatic circumstances.
Regis Le Bris‘ side had been second best and under pressure for the vast majority of the first 75 minutes at Wembley, as Anthony Patterson made two world-class saves to deny Kieffer Moore and Andre Brooks.
Eliezer Mayenda‘s equaliser with 14 minutes left on the clock restored parity after Tyrese Campbell had scored first for Sheffield United in the 25th minute, and that set the stage for Watson to win it late on.
The 19-year-old Sunderland academy product is Brighton bound this summer after the two clubs agreed a £10million transfer fee last month, but Watson left the Black Cats faithful with the perfect parting gift.
Henderson hails Bellingham after Sunderland victory
Watson is just one of the many youngsters in a Sunderland side which makes up the youngest squad in the Championship on average, and his fellow 19-year-old Bellingham was just as impressive at Wembley.
Bellingham’s performance in Saturday’s decider was on a par with Patterson’s as he pulled the strings in the Black Cats’ midfield, and he’s received several messages after “completing the job” for Sunderland.
Former Sunderland star Jordan Henderson has also weighed in to give his support with the Black Cats back in the top-flight, as well as a £200m windfall which could see him return to the Stadium of Light.
Posting a post-match photograph with Bellingham on his Instagram story (25 May), Henderson said: “Man of the match and taking Sunderland back to the Prem! Not a bad day, Jobe Bellingham.”
Sunderland braced for Bellingham exit despite Wembley win
With Watson’s exit signed and sealed long before he was able to book Sunderland’s Premier League place, the Black Cats will be hopeful that promotion can ensure Le Bris keeps his young side together.
However, it’s long since been accepted that a barrage of transfer bids will be on their way to the Stadium of Light this summer, and Jobe Bellingham has been backed to take a similar path to his brother Jude.
RB Leipzig, Chelsea and Manchester United are just three of the several clubs keen on Bellingham, but it remains to be seen if his first steps in the Premier League will now come in a Sunderland shirt instead.