Jobe Bellingham believes Sunderland must seize their ‘wonderful’ potential to gain promotion to the Premier League.
Bellingham was speaking after being crowned EFL Young Player of the Year in the Championship on Sunday night, defeating Burnley’s CJ Egan-Riley and Sheffield Wednesday’s Shea Charles.
The 19-year-old was also chosen to the Championship Team of the Year, and he stated that while the individual honour was appreciated, he was totally focused on doing his part over the next weeks.
“It’s a strange feeling because it’s the first individual award I’ve won really, so I’m very grateful especially to the staff, the fans and my team-mates who have helped me get to this point,” Bellingham told reporters.
“This is a bonus; the main goal this season remains for the club to be promoted, and we still have an excellent potential to achieve so. I’m sure everyone at the club understands how rare these opportunities are, so we must take use of them. The [individual prize] is a bonus.
“We’ll need everyone, as the gaffer has mentioned. I am confident that the supporters will do their part, travelling as far as they always do to support our club. It is up to us as players to grasp what this means for the fans and the staff that work diligently from top to bottom. “We have to do it for everyone.”
Sunderland had a double success at the EFL Awards, with Chris Rigg awarded Championship Apprentice of the Year.
Jobe said, “Riggy is a nice boy to play with. I enjoy playing with him and sharing the dressing room with him.”
Chris Rigg reacts to being named Championship Apprentice of the Year
Like Bellingham, Rigg said he was honoured by the recognition but focused on the team’s mission of gaining promotion next month.
“I’m buzzing,” Rigg explained.
“Obviously, we know we can win one more award at the conclusion of the season, but it’s wonderful to be acknowledged. I’ve learnt a lot this season, both on and off the pitch. I’ll keep saying it but it’s not over yet, so perhaps we can pick another up at the conclusion of the season.
“We’re going to knuckle down, the results and performances haven’t been very good [of late] but hopefully we can get a win against QPR and then we will knuckle down for the play-offs.”
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