In one of the biggest transfers of the summer, the younger brother of Jude Bellingham, Jobe, followed in the footsteps of his older brother by stepping away from English football to continue his development in the German Gianta Borussia Dortmund, in a striking transfer of Sunderland, facilitated by the parents of the couple.
It seems like a normal, even sensible suggestion that players, in particular those with the talents and potential of the Bellingham brothers, can look for comfort and refuge to be represented by family instead of the traditional football agent.
This is especially true where, given the average fan's vision of agents, who are often experienced as merely exist to press deals for all their value, aimed at personal gain and possibly prioritize personal profit over genuine development.
“You only see those where it works,” John explains frankly.
“What you don't see are parents who try to break in, take care of their players and fall flat on their faces.
“Here the Bellingham family is brilliant because they have the confidence. The sons trust the mother and father. But these are smart people, not your normal, ordinary types.
John was one of the first officially licensed football agents in the UKV Academy
Read more: John Viola wants to shape the next generation of football agents
“I have been in situations where a decent young player comes into play and the parents want to try to represent him,” Viola, who was one of the first officially licensed football agents in the UK, adds.
“I tell them that they are doing a bad service by not having the right experience, background and knowledge of what is needed to take a boy through his career.
“They just think because they know their son or their daughter, they are going to bring them through a career.
“Most of them will fail, but there are exceptions. I do not know (the Bellinghams) personally, but I know people they know, and I know they are smart people, and they are doing great, and they are clearly conscientious.”
Jowe Bellingham was followed in the footsteps of his brother to become a member of Dortmund despite other offers Dylan Buell / Getty Images North -America / Getty images via AFP
Often a 'rocky way'
Many elite level players have family members who represent them, which often results in a number of headline-grabbing stories that revolve around failed deals and strange demands.
Neymar, Adrien Rabiot, Marcus Rashford and even Lionel Messi are only a few who mention close relatives as their official representatives.
However, Neymar's spell in Spain with Barcelona was left by various high -profile legal disputes and questions with regard to his reported transfer of £ 50 million from Santos. However, none of these led to convictions and Neymar Sr. has always insisted that he has nothing to hide.
In the meantime, the French world cup winner Adrien Rabiot, who is represented by his mother Veronique, often criticized because he missed large movements to Manchester United and Arsenal because of “family -incompetence”.
But John says there are many more who have tried – and failed – to guide their child through the difficult, often treacherous world of professional football, and that he will usually advise against it.
“Neymar's father is another great example, although he is very controversial. I love controversial people, but in the past I have come across individuals who claim to want to represent their sons, and I ask them:” What do you qualify to negotiate that deal? “.
“What gives you the qualification to be able to find the right club for them? What are your transferable skills that give you the football knowledge that you might think?
“It is a rocky road that is not easy, because you have a relationship with your son or your daughter. That is the problem I have seen in the past.
'Also keep in mind that you cannot represent your son or your daughter unless you also have a license. You can do that in the past, but not now.
“I am very careful when someone says:” Bring the family in, “but if the family is good enough, I am completely for it. They know their son or daughter better than anyone.
“If someone wants to do that, I am happy to support them, but it only works for me because I want them to be part of my team.
“So, if your son is a really good player and you want to take care of him, I say:” Come on, let's give the license, I'll show you how it works. “