Joining Sebastian Hellmann on the SPIELMACHER Podcast, Matthias Sammer let some questionable quotes fly centered around Real Madrid's Jude Bellingham - well, kind of?
Sammer began his "rant", if you want to call it that, with praise for the 21-year-old:
""Jude Bellingham: Exceptional, truly exceptional. You saw that from the first second.""Matthias Sammer
But the English teen had one mischievous tendency with Die Schwarzgelben that irritated Sammer beyond belief. After home games, instead of joining the team and thanking the Südtribune as a unit, Jude would often hold back and wait. Once the team had started to slowly move on, that's when number 22 would suddenly seem less preoccupied and take in the praise all by himself, being welcomed by a unison of adoring "JUUUUUUUUUUDDEE" shouts. A personal victory lap, if you will.
But Sammer's critical tone was moreso aimed at the team and not Jude himself, stating:
""That sort of behavior is not good for a group. But my gripe is not with Jude; my thinking was: What kind of circus is this? How could a group allow something like this?""Matthias Sammer
The main sentiment was this: Jude was really good, really early, and he knew that. He was also young and most likely didn't know any better. If anything, it's the job of the team to keep players like that in check and let them know what is and what isn't acceptable.
In my opinion, I can certainly understand how some may have interpreted Jude's behaviour as self-indulgent. There is a fine line between cocky and confident. But I also don't recall it ever affecting his or the team's performances in a negative manner. I look back at Jude's relationship with the Süd and fans in general as a healthy one. He played 132 matches for BVB and gave it his all in every single one. What was he like in the locker room? I can't speak to that. And to be honest, can Sammer do it watching from the stands?
I find myself increasingly confused by Sammer's takes these days. Why was this topic not brought up while Jude was still with the team? Does anyone else share this opinion with Sammer? The timing could actually not be more odd. Seeing as Dortmund are reportedly working tirelessly on the transfer of Jobe Bellingham as we speak...