LATEST UPDATE: Jobe Bellingham’s benching is explained by Michael Beale’s reasoning.

Michael Beale has clarified that he needed to rotate his midfield this week, which is why he left Jobe Bellingham on the Sunderland bench.

Sunderland’s week is packed, beginning with a home match against Plymouth and continuing with away visits to Birmingham City and Huddersfield (on Wednesday).

There will be a lot of travelling for those next games, so Beale wants to make sure his team is as fit and fresh as possible.

This meant that Jobe rested against Plymouth before replacing Ekwah and scoring; yet, even that substitution was organized ahead of time with the next games in mind.

“We spoke about this week, [we have] three really big games [this week],” Beale responded when asked what his reasoning was for keeping Jobe off the field.

“We have a long commute ahead of us—first to Birmingham, then back to Huddersfield.

“Pierre’s departure was scheduled in advance. It’s impossible to prepare everything, but this week’s midfield rotation was somewhat prearranged.

Beale also wanted to change Sunderland’s formation when they played at home, so he coupled the plan to rotate the middle.

With Patrick Roberts coming back on the right and Abdoullah Ba being shifted to the center behind Nazariy Rusyn, more men were committed forward.

Beale stated, “We’d play with one more up the pitch, certainly at home.” “I believe Paddy has shown us what we’ve missed in brief moments, and Abdullah deserved to remain on the team.” that capacity for dribbling.

“Right now, there are so many advantages. Young Rigg also beginning to shine.”