Overview
- Niko Kovac defended the 20-year-old ahead of Tuesday’s Champions League trip to FC Copenhagen and said he has no problem starting him.
- Bellingham has logged 318 minutes across ten appearances with only three starts as he adjusts to a crowded midfield.
- Competition from Marcel Sabitzer, Felix Nmecha and Pascal Groß has limited his opportunities in central areas.
- The spotlight intensified after a miscontrolled clearance versus Bayern led to Michael Olise scoring for 2-0, drawing tabloid criticism.
- Earlier in the season, attention also followed an incident in the St. Pauli dressing area involving his father after an early substitution.