'You don't realise how big Sunderland are until you play for those fans,' says Jobe Bellingham

Jobe Bellingham says Sunderland is a ‘special and unique’ club and players don’t realise how big the club is until they experience it themselves.

Bellingham has been one of the standout players for Sunderland this season with he teenager playing almost every game and scoring four times so far.

He is likely to start again when Leeds United visit the Stadium of Light this week with a big crowd expected to watch the two biggest clubs in the Championship go head-to-head.

READ NEXT: Alex Neil Stoke failure offers biggest argument for Sunderland to reject outdated manager model

Jobe himself, though, says that although he knew Sunderland was a big club, he didn’t realise just how big it was until he saw it with his own eyes.

"You don't really realise [how big the club is] until you get here and play in front of the fans,” Jobe told Sky Sports.

“And going away from home, they sell out everything as soon as possible. It's not like that everywhere. It's really special and unique."

The younger Bellingham brother has been one of the most sought-after youngsters in English football since his breakthrough at Birmingham at just 16.

He was linked with the likes of Manchester United, Borussia Dortmund and Liverpool, so there was some surprise within football when he joined Sunderland instead.

However, he says it was a ‘no-brainer’ given the Black Cats’ attitude towards giving first-team opportunities to young players.

"It was a big decision for me," he said. "Emotionally it was tough, but from a football perspective, it was a no-brainer, with the chances Sunderland give young players, and with the direction the club want to go in.

"Young players need to be in an environment to show what they're capable of, and in this team, you can.

“We play without pressure, and it looks like mates in the park at times, which sometimes can be a bad thing! But it's a really good feeling."

READ MORE SUNDERLAND NEWS