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Brentford manager Thomas Frank has opened up on the possibilities of him replacing Jurgen Klopp as Liverpool boss next season.

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• Frank tipped to replace Klopp at Liverpool
• Opened up about joining Liverpool next season
• Brentford currently 14th in the Premier League

• WHAT HAPPENED?

  Several top managers, including Xabi Alonso and Frank, have been linked with the job at Liverpool ever since Klopp made it public that he would leave the Merseyside club at the end of the ongoing season.

  Now the Brentford boss has finally addressed the rumours of him potentially taking charge of the Reds as he stated that he is happy to continue with the London club for the long term.

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• WHAT THOMAS FRANK SAID

  Speaking to Sky Sports, Frank said, "There’s a lot of rumours out there. I think we all have kind of an ego and the ego likes that little bit of sugar but at the end of the day, I’m at Brentford. I’m very happy here.

  "Do I have ambitions? Yes. Am I going to stay at Brentford forever? Maybe but probably not. So who knows what’s going to happen in the future? What I know is that I’m here at Brentford and I’m very happy with it."

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  THE BIGGER PICTURE

  While The Bees head coach might have made it to Liverpool's shortlist, Bayer Leverkusen's Alonso remains favourite to take charge of the club next summer. Under Alonso's tutelage, the German club has performed exceptionally well this season. They are currently unbeaten in the Bundesliga and have a healthy five-point lead at the top of the table.

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  WHAT NEXT FOR THOMAS FRANK?

  The 50-year-old for now remains focused on his club, who currently find themselves 14th in the Premier League. They will be next seen in action on Saturday against league leaders Liverpool.

In 2022, Gotham finished bottom of the NWSL table, now, they're competing for a Championship title one year later courtesy of an offseason overhaul.

The 2023 NWSL Championship match, set to take place this Saturday in San Diego, will pit OL Reign against Gotham FC. The NY/NJ based side snuck into the playoffs in sixth place before beating two of the league’s best—North Carolina Courage and Portland Thorns FC – to reach the final. What’s even more surprising is that last year, the Bats finished dead-last in the league with just four wins on the season.

Now, fast forward to present day, and they’re competing in the NWSL Championship game.

The first step in the club’s dramatic turnaround was tapping Juan Carlos Amorós as head coach, who then undertook a revamp of the beleaguered team’s roster and built a new culture and on-field identity. Total buy-in from his players allowed the Spanish manager, who had served as an interim head coach for Houston Dash in 2022, to implement a fluid, possession-based style few other NWSL teams have attempted.

GOAL digs into how Amorós and his team completed the turnaround.

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  Appointing a new coach with an identity, a vision and a dream

  Amorós, who was appointed in November, has been one of the best coaching hires in the NWSL in recent memory. After taking charge of the Houston Dash midway through the 2022 season and leading the team to their first-ever playoff appearance, the Madrileño got to work immediately at Gotham, hiring an almost entirely new technical staff and working with General Manager Yael Averbuch to overhaul the roster.

  In addition to the new tactical system Amorós masterminded, he instituted a cultural shift that’s gotten the most out of every individual on the team—one where every player knows their role and everyone from the first to the 27th player on the team sheet gets a fair crack at the starting lineup each week.

  “Even the day before the game, matchday-minus-one training, somebody can play really well and they could be in the starting lineup,” says defender Ali Krieger.

  That dynamic both gets the best out of players by making them feel valued and raises the level of competition in training, and the buy-in from the team has been complete. Forward Taylor Smith calls Amorós “one of the best coaches I’ve had,” saying, “he's instilled so much discipline into the team.”

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  Implementing a system for success

  The NWSL has long been a fast, physical, transition-heavy league where pace and strength tend to be rewarded above technique. Amorós has implemented a more European-style possession-based system arguably with more success than any previous coach, although North Carolina—who finished in third place but were beaten by Gotham in the playoff quarterfinal—employed a similar style this season.

  It’s only North Carolina, in fact, who outranked Gotham in three key stats over the regular season: total passes, successful passes, and average possession. The team plays with a high line, an aggressive press, and a fluid attacking style that often sees forwards Lynn Williams and Esther González drop deep to connect with Yazmeen Ryan or Delanie Sheehan in the midfield.

  That’s a style that takes time for a team to build into, and it was only possible due to Amorós’s clear vision and player-centric philosophy. “For [the coaching staff] it’s about making sure that [the players] understood that we had a plan, that it was going to be a journey,” he says. “And from day one, we wanted to be, you know, defensive, solid, aggressive, versatile. So we started giving them the foundation they needed to be successful, because we knew what we wanted. From day one, they said, ‘okay. We’ll try it.’”

  “We don’t really have positions, we have roles,” explains Smith. “Watching the [semifinal against Portland] I think one thing that was really noticeable was the organization. Like, there's a throw-in and we're immediately ready and shifting, everybody knowing exactly their role.”

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  Acquiring an NWSL superstar and the eventual Rookie of the Year

  Obviously, it’s only possible to employ a given style with the right players on the field, and Amorós made big moves in the offseason.

  The splashiest signing was bringing in two-time NWSL champion and three-time Shield winner Lynn Williams, one of the top forwards in the league, at the beginning of the season. Williams was a staple for North Carolina during the 2017–2019 stretch where they dominated the NWSL, as well as winning the Golden Boot and MVP awards in 2016 with the Western New York Flash.

  The club had a successful 2023 NWSL Draft as well, bringing in midfielder Jenna Nighswonger—the eventual Rookie of the Year winner—from Florida State with the fourth overall pick. Nighswonger, an NCAA champion in 2021 with the Seminoles, was moved to left back at Gotham, a position she thrived in.

  “She subbed into the [season opener against LA] because Krieger went down,” says forward Midge Purce. “I was on the left wing and had not seen her play a lot of left back. And I said, ‘oh, my god. Here we go.’ And since then, she just took the league by storm.”

  Midway through the season, Amorós made more moves, bringing in Spanish center back Maitane López in June, and 2023 World Cup champion Esther González at forward after that tournament ended.

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  'From worst to first:' a veteran-led squad reinvented

  Ending a season in last place is obviously dispiriting, but—provided necessary changes are made in the offseason—it can also be freeing, allowing a group of players to head into the following year with nothing to lose. “We jokingly say from worst to first,” says Purce, “but I don't think we ever really looked at ourselves as the worst.”

  Purce, who has been with Gotham since 2020, adds that this season felt like a fresh start. “This is a new group,” she says. “It's a new coaching staff. It's completely new. So we feel like we have nothing to lose and something to bring.”

  Gotham’s current group has brought a range of different experiences with them, from youngsters like Nighswonger to veterans like Kelley O’Hara and McCall Zerboni; some have no playoff experience, while Williams has been on the roster for playoff teams in seven different years.

  And then of course, there’s USWNT legend Krieger, who will hang up her cleats after this match. For her teammates, Krieger’s upcoming retirement has been one more reason to push for victory Saturday. “I think Ali's been an extra motivation, not because of who she's been, but for who she is for us,” says Amorós. “She's taught me a lot. She showed me what a true leader of a changing room is. She is a role model for all the players, for coaches, and for us to be able to tell her goodbye in this last game, in the Championship, was our target, but our target now is to win for her. Nothing would make me happier than seeing her lifting that trophy on Saturday.”

Rodrigo De Paul admits that Argentina “always miss” Lionel Messi when he is unavailable, with “everything always better” when he is clear of injury.

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• All-time great has been nursing a knock
• Limited game time for Inter Miami
• In qualification action against Paraguay

• WHAT HAPPENED?

  The seven-time Ballon d’Or winner sat out a 2026 World Cup qualifying clash with Bolivia back in September after picking up an untimely knock. That problem restricted him to just 72 minutes of game time for Inter Miami in MLS before heading off with the Albiceleste once more.

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  THE BIGGER PICTURE

  Messi was kept on the bench for 53 minutes of a meeting with Paraguay, but made an impressive cameo as he struck the woodwork on two occasions and tangled with Antonio Sanabria – who spat at him – in a hard-fought 1-0 win for the 2022 World Cup winners.

• WHAT THEY SAID

  De Paul, who is a close friend of the all-time great, is delighted to have Messi back alongside him, telling of how the mercurial 36-year-old makes life easier for everybody when he is on the field: “Although we play at a very high level, we always miss him, we always want to have him in. I hope he can come back in the next game because with him everything is always better. For me it is a pleasure to turn around and see him.”

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  WHAT HAPPENS NEXT?

  Argentina, who sit at the top of the CONMEBOL qualification table after taking maximum points form three qualifiers so far, will be back in action next Tuesday against Peru – with it yet to be determined whether Messi will play more of a prominent role in that contest.

Teenage wonderkid Lamine Yamal boasts one-on-one ability that is comparable to former Barcelona superstar Lionel Messi, says Blaugrana boss Xavi.

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• Youngster has burst onto the senior stage
• Following in the footsteps of all-time great
• Coach has complete faith in his ability

• WHAT HAPPENED?

  The precociously-gifted 16-year-old has burst onto the senior stage in 2023, becoming a full international with Spain, and records continue to tumble around him – as they once did with Argentine icon Messi. The promising midfielder boasts creative quality in abundance, with Xavi of the opinion that he can be likened to superstars of Barca’s recent past. He has said of Yamal’s ability when running with the ball: “He’s got the ability in one-on-one situations, you have to look for him. As with [Ousmane] Dembele, with Messi… we must get the ball to him. We have to make the most of it and give this type of player a boost.”

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  THE BIGGER PICTURE

  Yamal is drawing obvious comparisons with Messi, who made his own breakthrough at Barca while still in his teens, and Xavi intends to handle the youngster with care. He added on emulating the efforts of his predecessors, who ensured that Messi was never pushed too far: “They are good examples, [Frank] Rijkaard’s management with Leo. He had injuries at the beginning. We have to be cautious with Lamine. He will help us.”

• WHAT THEY SAID

  Barcelona will be hoping that Yamal does not pick up any untimely knocks on Friday when he goes up against a Sevilla side that boasts plenty of no-nonsense defenders. Xavi said: “We treat him like someone who is 16 years old, who is in training. We are very close to him. We see him well when he’s in training. He’ll be up against [Sergio] Ramos or [Jesus] Navas, competitive animals at 36.”

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  WHAT HAPPENS NEXT?

  Defending La Liga champions Barca remain unbeaten through seven league games this season and are just two points behind surprise early pacesetters Girona – meaning that they can move to the top of the table with a win over Sevilla at Montjuic.

Marcus Bent believes that Crystal Palace is Ainsley Maitland-Niles’ sort of level.

The 23-year-old, who can play at full-back or in midfield, came through the ranks at Arsenal and won the FA Cup with the club in 2019-2020.

But Maitland-Niles’ opportunities were limited before Christmas last season, which led to him going out on loan to West Brom.

He impressed during his short spell at the Hawthorns, starting all but three of their Premier League matches following his arrival, although he couldn’t stop the Baggies from slipping into the Championship.

Maitland-Niles still has two years left on his deal in north London, but according to Football.London, Palace are watching him closely, with regular football far more likely at Selhurst Park.

The Gunners academy graduate played in midfield for his entire spell with West Brom, a position he isn’t likely to be given the opportunity in at Arsenal, and Bent reckons that signing for his former side would be a great step for him:

He exclusively told Football FanCast:

“I think that’s his level, whether they sign him or take him on loan. It will be amazing for Palace to sign him, he’s still in London, and they play quick, attacking football.”

Lionel Messi has been branded an “absolute leader” after missing son Mateo’s birthday in order to sit on the bench for Argentina in Bolivia.

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• All-time great rested for trip to La Paz
• Opted against returning to the States
• Stayed on to support his team-mates

• WHAT HAPPENED?

  The seven-time Ballon d’Or winner played no part for his country in their latest 2026 World Cup qualifier, with the decision taken to rest him after a hectic few weeks at new club side Inter Miami and a slight knock being picked up. Messi could have opted to head home and be with his family once it was determined that he would sit out proceedings in La Paz, but he remained with Lionel Scaloni’s squad as a talismanic presence in the Albiceleste ranks.

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  WHAT THEY SAID

  Rodrigo de Paul has saluted Messi’s decision not to return to the United States for birthday celebrations. He has told : “Messi is an absolute leader and an example of love and care for the team. He could have gone away and enjoyed Mateo’s birthday, but yet he came here.”

• THE BIGGER PICTURE

  Emiliano Martinez added on seeing Messi stick around in the Argentina camp: “There is hunger. He could have gone home but he accompanied us, that is a source of pride for us.” Long-time international colleague Angel di Maria said of the all-time great keeping himself in contention for game time if he was needed: “He tried to play until the last day.”

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  WHAT HAPPENS NEXT?

  Defending champions Argentina collected a 3-0 victory without Messi, maintaining their perfect start to qualification for the next World Cup, and he will now head back to Florida ahead of Inter Miami returning to MLS action on Saturday away at Atlanta United.

Amakhosi recorded their second straight Premier Soccer League victory on Wednesday evening in their trip to Cape Town.

Kaizer Chiefs' 2-0 victory over Stellenbosch FC has sparked debate about whether their strikers have been sharpened.

In-form Pule Mmodi set Amakhosi on the path to victory before Christian Saile Basomboli rose from the bench to grab Chiefs' second goal.

For Mmodi, it was his third goal in two PSL matches and the major question is if the Glamour Boys have found a reliable scorer to end their attacking woes.

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  Ntseki's work on Chiefs forwards

  In recent seasons, Chiefs' attack has been a spot of worry for the club as strikers struggle to show up.

  Ntseki emphasises on his work with the forwards and appears satisfied they are slowly rising to the occasion.

  "I think the most important thing is the drills and the work we've put into our offensive players," Ntseki said post-match.

  "They understand the demands, they understand the movements and they understand what technical execution we have to make in terms of getting goals.

  "I think it was a very good decision for him [Pule Mmodi] to execute and be able to score that goal."

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  Vibrant Saile

  Ntseki also gave Christian Saile Basomboli the vote of confidence.

  The DR Congo striker is yet to prove himself as a reliable and prolific striker but Ntseki describes him as a "vibrant player."

  "As for Christian, he is a very vibrant type of player who is always looking to score, that is why when he scored he came to the bench to celebrate," Ntseki said.

  "I think he's a goalscorer and any striker if he scores goals, that's what makes him feel good about himself."

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  Combination upfront coming into place

  The Amakhosi coach has tried Saile, Mmodi, Ashley du Preez, Ranga Chivaviro as the most prominent forwards.

  Although he faced initial criticism about how Saile and Chivaviro struggle to combine and make a terrifying attacking unit, Ntseki believes all is coming out well.

  "I think that's what Ashley did last week and what Christian did today. That's what Mmodi did last week," Ntseki said.

  "If you look at our goals it's a combination of our offensive play leading to a goal to be scored."

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  Chiefs didn't know what they wanted to do

  Stellenbosch coach Barker feels Amakhosi had no clue when it came to having a game plan.

  "I felt they [Chiefs] didn't really know what they wanted to do in the build-up," Barker told the media.

  "Obviously they are trying to create from the back and suck you in and play out where the pitch opens up for them.

An OnlyFans model has claimed she attended sex parties with ex-Manchester City man Benjamin Mendy and alleges he still invites her to France.

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• Mendy trying to rebuild career
• Cleared of carrying out sex attacks
• OnlyFans model says he took her to sex parties

• WHAT HAPPENED?

  OnlyFans model Ali-Rose has given a graphic account of her alleged experience with Mendy, who now plays for Lorient. The 23-year-old claimed she met the left-back at an Eid party hosted by former Man City star Riyad Mahrez. She described the alleged encounter as a "very strange experience" and claims that he still messages her to this day.

  Getty/@undercover_aliar

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  WHAT ALI-ROSE SAID

  She said on the Reality Check podcast: "I have no idea whose house I'm rocking up to, I got inside, his whole family is in there, Mendy is in there and they're all drunk. I was literally not dressed for a family gathering. Eventually Mendy takes me away and starts speaking to me and I am like, 'Hi nice to finally f***ing speak to you'. He's like, 'I'm really sorry this is the situation' and I'm like ,'Did you not know you were going to be at this party before you invited me down on this date'. Like, I was enjoying myself, don't get me wrong. I was drunk, I was very much party to it but it was a very strange experience."

  She added: "He still messages me now to this day, saying, 'Come to France, come to Paris'. There is nothing in it for me, even if there was financial gain, I don't want it and don't need it."

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  THE GOSSIP

  Mendy was cleared of one count of rape and one count of attempted rape in July 2023, six months on from being found not guilty for six counts of rape against him. The 29-year-old was released by City last summer having not played in nearly two years due to his arrest, before signing with Ligue 1 club Lorient on a two-year deal shortly after.

  As the former France international – who did admit in court he had a "disrespectful" attitude to women and that it was "easy" to have sex with multiple women due to his footballer status – tries to rebuild his football career, this latest news puts his name back in the spotlight for matters off the pitch.

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• WHAT NEXT?

  Off the pitch, Mendy, who has made eight appearances for Lorient this season, has reportedly launched a multi-million pound claim against City over unpaid wages. On the field, the defender could feature for his side against Le Havre on Sunday.

Liverpool duo Sadio Mane and Mohamed Salah will likely miss four crucial January fixtures due to international duty at the African Cup of Nations, after the 2021/22 Premier League fixtures were confirmed today [Liverpool FC].

The Lowdown: Salah and Mane expected to be key men again in 2021/22

As Liverpool gear up for the 2021/22 Premier League season, they will be desperate to improve on their third placed finish last time out.

Of course, star men Mane and Salah were instrumental in their eventual UEFA Champions League qualification [Athletic].

Both will of course be key men again in the forthcoming months, and fan fears over AFCON scheduling has now been confirmed as both players could miss out on four crucial Premier League fixtures later on in the 2021/22 calendar.

The Latest: Liverpool fixtures confirmed

The major international tournament has been scheduled for the 9th January – 6th February, 2022 [Inside The Games], with the team camps sure to be set up shortly before that.

Expected to be staring for Egypt and Senegal respectively, Salah and Mane will likely miss clashes against Chelsea (A), Brentford (H) and Crystal Palace (A), which fall on January 1st, 15th and 22nd respectively [Liverpool FC].

In spite of the tournament ending in early February, the pair are unlikely to be back, rested and ready to face Leicester City (H) on the 9th February [Liverpool FC] too.

The Mirror, via Anfield Watch, believe the duo could miss as many as six matches for the Reds, but these four fixtures are the ones they look almost certain to be absent for.

The Verdict: Losing both players for this period will be a bitter blow for Liverpool

Undoubtedly, this scenario could come at an unbelievably awkward time for Liverpool. Hoping to challenge reigning champions Manchester City for the title, their attacking arsenal is likely to be significantly weakened as they embark towards a critical batch of contests.

Salah has been the barometer of consistency for Liverpool in recent years, not least in 2020/21 where he finished as the Reds top goal-scorer on 31 goals from 51 outings [Transfermarkt].

Comparatively, Mane endured a disappointing year by his standards. Nevertheless, he still converted 16 goals from 48 appearances [Transfermarkt].

Liverpool will need to rely on alternative offensive options as they bid to stay consistent in what is a period of the season typically marred by fatigue and injuries for all teams, such is the hectic nature of the winter schedule.

In other news, fans react to comments made by a Liverpool midfielder.

All of Europe's richest clubs want to sign the England midfielder, but his development would be better served by another season at Signal Iduna Park

So, now we know. Liverpool are out of the running to sign Jude Bellingham this summer, which is a shame both for the club and the player. Because a move to Merseyside made so much sense.

Liverpool are in dire need of a new Steven Gerrard, while Anfield would have provided Bellingham with the perfect platform to prove himself as a truly generational talent.

He wouldn't have just been a guaranteed starter, he would have been the foundation on which Jurgen Klopp constructed his next great Liverpool team.

Unfortunately, this season's dramatic dip in form, which will likely result in the Reds missing out on Champions League football and financing next season, has put paid to any hope the German coach had of landing Bellingham.

After all, Dortmund are, quite understandably, seeking around €150 million (£132m/$165m) for their most prized possession and Liverpool are no state-sponsored club. They simply do not have the resources to sign the most-coveted teenager in world football overhaul their squad.

Bellingham, of course, still has plenty of potential destinations to choose from, but are any of them really as attractive as Anfield?

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  Manchester City

  Manchester City are obviously one of the leading contenders to sign Bellingham and the prospect of working with Pep Guardiola would appeal to the England youngster.

  Crucially, unlike Liverpool, money is no object to the club's Abu Dhabi-based owners. Meeting both Dortmund's asking price and Bellingham's wage demands would not be an issue.

  But City's wealth is not without its downside, certainly from a player's perspective. The reigning Premier League champions can afford to make mistakes in the transfer market. If an expensive signing doesn't work out, they can just make another one.

  They are in the rather enviable position of being able to pay £42m ($53m) for a promising young English midfielder and leave him on the bench for almost the entire season. Now, people may argue with some justification that Bellingham is a far better player than Kalvin Phillips – and a very different one too – but the former Leeds United star's struggles at the Etihad this season underline just how difficult it is to break into this City side.

  Pep will obviously have a plan for Bellingham, but he doesn't exactly look like a perfect fit from a tactical perspective. City don't have another player like the 19-year-old, which is good in one way, but potentially problematic in another.

  Ilkay Gundogan and Bernardo Silva could both leave this summer, but Bellingham hardly represents a like-for-like replacement for either player.

  He is far more direct and actually more akin to Kevin De Bruyne but, again, it's difficult to see Bellingham playing instead of the Belgian or even with him, unless he makes some modifications to his game. Just look at how the ridiculously talented Phil Foden is in and out of the City starting line-up this season.

  Bellingham would obviously learn a lot playing under Guardiola, and alongside some of the most intelligent footballers in the game today, but, at his age, he needs to play, and he needs to grow. It's not as if Phillips is doing either right now…

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  Real Madrid

  As it stands, Madrid don't appear to have quite enough money in the bank to bring Bellingham to Santiago Bernabeu this summer, not that a lack of cash has ever stopped them before. Real usually find a way to get what they want.

  A player's desire to move to Madrid often helps too. It remains the dream destination for most footballers, representing the most successful side in the history of the European Cup is still considered by many to be the pinnacle of their profession. Bellingham would be no different in that regard.

  Again, though, there are some red flags. Madrid have signed two young midfielders of enormous potential during the last summer two transfer windows, in Aurelien Tchouameni and Eduardo Camavinga.

  The former was once again on the bench against Chelsea on Wednesday night, while the latter played at left-back.

  Both were obviously bought with the future in mind. Despite some compelling evidence to the contrary, Luka Modric and Toni Kroos cannot continue forever.

  But, again, Bellingham might have to spend more time on the bench than he'd like if he were to join Madrid at this particular moment in time.

  After all, another midfielder really isn't really Real's priority right now, which is telling in itself.

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  Manchester United

  In recently urging Bellingham to stay at Dortmund, club legend Stefan Effenberg pointed out in his column for that there are "no guarantees elsewhere – [Jadon] Sancho is the best example of this."

  It was a valid point. Sancho appeared perfectly primed to become a superstar at Manchester United in 2021 after three stellar seasons at Signal Iduna Park.

  Sadly, the winger has endured a tough time at Old Trafford, with the mental strain of playing in one of the most pressurised environments in world football having taken a heavy toll on Sancho, who is only now starting to look like something resembling his old self.

  Sancho certainly wasn't helped by the constant turmoil at United, and while things have improved around the first team following the appointment of the excellent Erik ten Hag as coach, the ongoing unrest at boardroom level is hugely concerning.

  Indeed, it was hoped that the Glazer family, who are reviled by many supporters, would sell the club before the end of the season, but that process could now drag on into the summer, meaning less time for the new owners to prepare for next season.

  For that reason alone, United appear unlikely to sign Bellingham. They're not presently in a position to commit to such a massive deal, while Bellingham would be well advised to steer clear while the ownership issue at Old Trafford remains unresolved.

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  Chelsea

  If United's interest should be treated with caution, any offer from Chelsea must be immediately dismissed. The new owners at Stamford Bridge are making the previous administration look like models of restraint, having already sacked two managers since taking charge last summer and spent more than £500m ($625m) on players.

  Seriously, it's The Muppet Show, an ever-expanding cast of comical characters that appear to exist only for our amusement.

  It obviously makes no sense for Chelsea to bid for Bellingham, given they're already in danger of breaching Financial Fair Play (FFP) regulations because of their historic spending spree, but that doesn't mean they won't.

  Todd Boehly & Co. clearly want to sign as many talented young players as possible. However, it would be hugely surprising if Bellingham had any interest in joining a club operating in a total state of flux.

  They won't be playing in the Champions League next season, while it's not yet known who their next manager will be – or whether he'll be sacked six games into the new campaign.

  Bellingham must avoid Chelsea at all costs.