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Real Madrid star Jude Bellingham has opened up about feeling vulnerable to mark World Mental Health day. Bellingham has revealed that he used to search for his name on social media during his time at Birmingham but has hope that one day football fans can overcome an old fashioned outlook about mental health as the England international admits he has learned to brush off criticism.

• Getty Images Sport
  

  Footballers often viewed as immune

  Footballers, including Bellingham, have previously needed to put on a tough façade to show that criticism doesn't impact their performances. The Real Madrid midfielder has admitted that, while at Birmingham, he did used to name search for himself on social media as he was breaking through at St. Andrew's.

  Bellingham would go on to move to Borussia Dortmund and then to Real Madrid in 2023, winning La Liga and the Champions League in his debut campaign in Spain. The 22-year-old also finished third in the 2024 Ballon d'Or to mark an impressive rise.

  However, the England international has seen his game critiqued in recent months, while the increase in the use of social media platforms such as X, Facebook and Instagram means there are now more ways to attack players without facing any repercussions than ever before.

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• 'There's more ways to attack someone'

  Bellingham believes that the increase in social media usage means there is a stigma about talking about mental health, and is quoted by ESPN as saying: "With the development of social media and technology, there's more ways to attack someone, to make them feel down – and I think there's still a stigma around talking about mental health.

  "I know there's been times where I've felt vulnerable, doubted myself and needed someone to talk to – and, instead, I've tried to keep up this macho athlete image of, 'I don't need anyone'.

  "The truth is that I do, everyone does. And you'll feel a lot better from talking about your feelings and emotions."

• Getty Images Sport
  

  'Athletes are seen as people who should shut up and take it'

  The Real Madrid star also believes there are unrealistic expectations on sportspeople to essentially accept that hate is part and parcel of their career, adding: "As athletes, it seems like we have the world at our feet or hands – we can do whatever we want, earn so much money and never be affected by it.

  "But the reality is, if we can show vulnerability, then it opens up a bigger conversation for people who are struggling in the darkness. It's the duty of people like me – and the positions we're in – to be role models.

  "I still think athletes are seen as people who should shut up and take it, which is an old-fashioned outlook. That hate can be really tough for athletes – and I can really empathise with those who struggle with their mental health. Everyone is allowed their opinion on sport, but there should be limits to the horrible things you can say. 

  "I've never been in a deep hole mentally, but I've been around people who have, and it's sad to see."

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• 'I always try to keep my confidence high'

  Bellingham believes that the unrealistic expectations athletes also put on themselves does them no favours, while suggesting that it does have a negative impact on a sportsperson. "I always try to keep my confidence high, whether it's through self-reassurance, or accepting the fact that I won't complete every pass, I won't beat every player or score and win every game," he added.

  "The more comfortable you are with that then the more comfortable you are with knowing you're not perfect."

  Bellingham has only recently returned to action after undergoing shoulder surgery over the summer, which means he has been restricted to just one league start under new Real Madrid boss Xabi Alonso. And despite a return to first team duties in recent weeks, the Los Blancos star failed to make Thomas Tuchel's England squad for the October international break.

  That break, though, will have given Bellingham more time to build up his fitness as league leaders Real Madrid look to maintain their flying start to the season. Alonso has overseen seven wins in his eight games in charge and return to league action next weekend when they make the short trip across the capital to take on Getafe.

On Friday afternoon, Jack Grealish was named the Premier League Player of the Month for August. It remains early days, but Grealish must be rather pleased with his decision to join Everton on loan this summer.

After just three matches of the campaign, two of which have been starts, Grealish has racked up four assists and added a degree of magic to an Everton side that is steeped in David Moyes’ typical industriousness.

Whether the 29-year-old stays on beyond his one-year stay at the Hill Dickinson Stadium remains to be seen, but the Blue fans have already subscribed to the idea, no doubt about it.

Grealish is Everton's hero

Everton suffered defeat in their opening game of the Premier League season, but have since claimed six points from six, and Grealish has provided the playmaking energy to achieve such success.

Don’t expect the attacking midfielder to provide prolific results each and every week, but his dribbling and presence and technical skill make him an incredibly exciting asset, with journalist Henry Winter praising him for “showing his talent and threat”.

The nature of Grealish’s creative role makes clear the fact that he will often take the plaudits. Add to that the embroidements of style and flair that the Three Lions man’s game has been defined by over the years of his career, and you have a player whose every movement will be tracked by a legion of riveted eyes.

However, Moyes and technical director Angus Kinnear have overseen a series of exciting signings this summer, and in Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall, Everton might have made an even more impressive signing.

How Dewsbury-Hall is outshining Grealish

Dewsbury-Hall left boyhood club Leicester City for Chelsea in 2024, having played an instrumental role in guiding the Foxes back into the Premier League.

The Athletic’s Rob Tanner praised the midfielder for “giving Leicester record-breaking creativity”, and indeed, that has been translated to Everton in spite of a disappointing, peripheral campaign at Chelsea.

Indeed, according to Stats platform Opta, Dewsbury-Hall has created eight chances in the top flight already this term, more than any other English player – Grealish included – and he’s also settled nicely into the more defensive part of Everton’s game in Moyes’ system, winning 60% of his duels thus far.

A complete midfielder, the Merseysiders might just have pulled off a major coup with this one, whose talents could indeed lead him to stand as a quietly more impressive signing than Grealish, even if a permanent option/potentiality is exercised toward the end of the 2025/26 season.

Dewsbury-Hall and Grealish have been praised already this term for their “incredible interplay” by writer Garrett Post, and the more central star’s fluency across the season might be the catalyst for a sustained resurgence on Grealish’s part.

After all, Dewsbury-Hall has made a lightning start to life in a new setting, with such impactful ball-playing qualities that feed into a frontline that was lacking impetus at many points last year.

Dewsbury-Hall – 25/26 PL Stats

Stats (* per game)

#

Matches (starts)

3 (3)

Goals

1

Assists

1

Touches*

50.7

Pass completion

85%

Key passes*

2.7

Dribbles*

1.0

Ball recoveries*

3.0

Tackles*

1.0

Interceptions*

0.3

Duels (won)*

5.0 (60%)

Data via Sofascore

Whether Moyes manages to maintain Dewsbury-Hall’s level at Everton across the campaign and beyond remains to be seen, but there’s no denying he has played at a ridiculous level across his opening few matches in a Toffees shirt.

Given his all-encompassing nature in midfield, Dewsbury-Hall might even prove to be the hallmark of a transformative summer transfer window, eclipsing even the flashy Grealish.

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MatériaMais Notícias

O técnico Fernando Diniz lamentou a maneira como o Fluminense tropeçou diante do Goiás neste domingo (11). Em entrevista coletiva rápida no Serrinha, o comandante apontou bons momentos da equipe das Laranjeiras na partida válida pela décima rodada do Campeonato Brasileiro. No entanto, reconheceu que faltou atenção em alguns momentos. Aos seus olhos, os tricolores pecaram novamente na via aérea.

RelacionadasFluminenseNino sai do jogo do Fluminense chorando e preocupa na véspera de se apresentar à Seleção BrasileiraFluminense11/06/2023FluminenseVÍDEO: veja os melhores momentos do empate do Fluminense com o Goiás pelo BrasileirãoFluminense11/06/2023

– Acho que a equipe fez um primeiro tempo muito bom, tivemos chances de ampliar, e por conta de erros nossos acabamos cedendo empate no primeiro tempo e também no segundo, em que a equipe voltou bem, produziu chances de gol, teve outras oportunidades para marcar. E em um lance de bola parada, que vinha sendo um dos fatores mais positivos da equipe até duas, três rodadas atrás, tomamos um gol que determinou o empate  – disse.

Em seguida, o treinador se queixou da arbitragem da partida ao falar do segundo gol esmeraldino.

– Vale dizer que foi uma bola que passou direto, não foi escanteio, não desviou em ninguém. A arbitragem erradamente apontou escanteio – afirmou.

Diniz projetou o que a comissão técnica fará no período de Data Fifa.

– Primeiro momento, é recuperar os jogadores. Esse último mês foi extremamente desgastante para nós todos, então primeiro é recuperar e esperar também que o departamento médico nos entregue os jogadores que estão desfalcando o time nesse momento – garantiu.

O Fluminense volta a campo no dia 21, uma quarta-feira, quando enfrenta o Atlético-MG.

The allrounder had held out hope of a recall but the selectors went for youth on the Sri Lanka tour

AAP12-Jan-20250:40

Connolly: ‘I like to be aggressive while I’m playing red-ball cricket as well’

Glenn Maxwell has admitted he would have made the same call as the Australian selectors as he reflected on their decision that’s likely ended his Test career.Maxwell and Mitchell Marsh were among the high-profile absentees from the 16-player squad for the upcoming tour of Sri Lanka, with uncapped 21-year-old Cooper Connolly picked ahead of the experienced allrounders.Related

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Maxwell, who last played first-class cricket 18 months ago, had been eager to add to his seven Test appearances. But the 36-year-old holds no grudges over selectors looking to the future, with Australia’s spot in the World Test Championship final already secure.”It’s just selection,” Maxwell said. “There’s always going to be people wanting to be there and I made no secret that I desperately wanted to be on that tour, but I can completely understand their reasoning.”The fact that they’re already in the World Test Championship final, they’ve got a couple of Tests in Sri Lanka and there’s going to be some sub-continent tours over the next few years, so they get to look a few new guys in those conditions.”What an experience for those guys to go over there – Cooper Connolly on his first Test tour – I certainly would’ve made the same decision as they have.”Glenn Maxwell’s form has help keep Melbourne Stars’ season alive•Getty Images

Maxwell has not played Test cricket since 2017 and appears unlikely to regain his spot in the national side in the longest form of the game.All of his Test appearances have come in Asia, with selectors previously valuing his spin bowling and ability to bat against the turning ball.Maxwell would have almost certainly gone to India for the Border-Gavaskar trophy series in 2023, but broke his leg at a friend’s backyard party only months before.But he was in no mood to make a big call on his Test future after blasting 90 from 52 balls in Melbourne Stars’ BBL derby win over Renegades.The result kept Stars’ finals hopes alive with one regular-season match left to play, against Hobart Hurricanes on Sunday.”I’m not making any future plans right now,” Maxwell said. “I’m looking forward to a week off and Sunday.”

Real Betis are preparing a new deal for Isco that will put him alongside Antony as the club’s joint-highest earner following the Brazilian’s arrival.

• Betis begin Isco renewal talks
• Salary to match Antony’s new deal
• Midfielder has contract until 2027

• WHAT HAPPENED?

  According to , Betis have opened talks with Isco over a contract renewal that will see his salary rise to the same level as Antony, who became the highest-paid player at the club following his deadline-day transfer from Manchester United for €25 million (£21m/$27m). Isco, who last extended his deal in December 2023 after a stunning first half-season, is now in talks over a salary adjustment. Negotiations began earlier in the summer but are now set to accelerate in the coming weeks despite the midfielder currently being sidelined with injury.

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  THE BIGGER PICTURE

  The move highlights Los Verdiblancos’ determination to reward key figures in Manuel Pellegrini’s squad. Antony’s arrival has reshaped the wage structure at the club, and Isco, who has been instrumental since arriving in Seville is seen as equally vital to their long-term ambitions. Talks with Pellegrini over his future are also pending, as Betis look to secure stability both on the pitch and on the bench.

• TELL ME MORE…

  According to , Betis and Isco spoke at the start of September to prepare for a definitive round of talks, with both parties keen to finalise the renewal this month. Currently tied to the club until 2027, he had interest from elsewhere during the transfer window but made it clear that he sees his future at Betis, where he has become a leader and fan favourite.

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  WHAT NEXT FOR ISCO?

  The former Real Madrid star is recovering from an injury that will keep him out for around three months, but Betis are confident of tying him down before his return to action. The agreement will place him alongside Antony as the joint-highest paid star in the dressing room, a reflection of his influence in the club’s ambitious push for trophies.

Fenerbahce have confirmed the appointment of Domenico Tedesco as their new head coach after being linked with numerous high-profile names.

• Fenerbahce set to announce new manager
• Ex-Belgium coach Tedesco to take over 
• Super Lig side find Mourinho replacement

• WHAT HAPPENED?

  Fenerbahce's efforts to sign a suitable managerial replacement following the sacking of Mourinho have paid off, as the club confirmed an agreement to appoint Tedesco, who last managed the Belgium national team.

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  THE BIGGER PICTURE

  The Yellow Canaries have been desperate to finalise and hire a new manager after the dismissal of Mourinho. The Portuguese legend was relieved of his duties after he failed to guide Fenerbahce to the league phase of the Champions League, losing the qualifying play-offs against Benfica. Since then, names such as Ange Postecoglou and Stuttgart head coach Sebastian Hoeness have floated around. Former Italy boss Luciano Spalletti and ex-AC Milan head coach Sergio Conceicao were linked, too.

• DID YOU KNOW?

  reports the 39-year-old has claimed that he will "make the team champions in the first year," before his appointment was later confirmed.

  "Domenico Tedesco has been appointed as the head coach of our club's professional football team. He has agreed to a two-year contract with Gökhan Gönül, one of our former captains who has worn our striped jersey for many years," a statement from the club read.

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  WHAT NEXT FOR FENERBAHCE?

  It is likely that Tedesco will take over the reins before Fenerbahce's next game, which is slated to be played on Sunday, September 14, against Trabzonspor.

Manchester City have reached an “agreement” over the signing of a talented former Paris Saint-Germain youngster, according to a new update from renowned journalist Fabrizio Romano.

Man City set to miss out on key target to Spurs

It has already been a productive summer transfer window for Pep Guardiola, who will have known the importance of adding fresh blood to his squad, following a tired-looking 2024/25 season.

The likes of Rayan Ait-Nouri, Tijjani Reijnders and Rayan Cherki will add quality and youth to the team, but City have suffered a blow regarding Morgan Gibbs-White.

Despite agreeing personal terms with the Nottingham Forest star, it now looks as though the Englishman is off to Tottenham, with the North Londoners triggering the £60m release clause in his contract. A move is expected to be completed in no time at all, with a medical pencilled in for Friday.

Missing out on Gibbs-White would be a setback for City, considering what an excellent season he enjoyed last time round, and it is now a case of them looking at alternative attacking options instead. Now, a fresh claim suggests a different player is now on his way to the Etihad instead.

Man City reach "agreement" and sign ex-PSG youngster

According to Romano on X, Manchester City have signed of young Paris Saint-Germain forward Mahamadou Sangare, with an “agreement” reached over a move to the Etihad after winning the race to snap him up. He has also “signed his contract” with the Sky Blues.

Sangare isn’t necessarily a player who will arrive at City and be a huge player for Guardiola from the off, with his lack of experience making him more of a long-term acquisition.

That’s not to say that he couldn’t be a fantastic signing for the Premier League giants, though, with the France Under-18 international someone with so much potential.

Sangare has scored an incredible 33 goals in just 35 appearances for PSG’s Under-19s, highlighting what an impressive emerging striker he is.

Man City agree personal terms with £60m star but he may now join Tottenham

City are making progress in their pursuit of a midfielder…

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Planning for the future is essential for City, ensuring they remain a dominant force in English football for generations to come, and the teenage attacking ace can be a big part of their future.

To describe Tottenham Hotspur’s campaign this year as a rollercoaster would be a massive understatement.

For most of the Premier League season, Ange Postecoglou’s side were nothing short of terrible – which would explain the club’s decision to sack him.

However, even with injuries severely hampering them on the domestic front, the North Londoners were brilliant in the Europa League, and with most of their squad back for the climax of the campaign, they ended up winning it all in Bilbao.

One of the team’s stars in the semi-finals and final was Cristian Romero, yet there is a distinct possibility that he could leave this summer, although based on the latest player touted for a move to the Lilywhites, that might not be such a problem.

Tottenham transfer news

While he’ll likely go down as a Spurs legend for his efforts in the Europa League this season, it is now starting to feel like Romero could be at a different club entirely by the end of the summer transfer window.

Transfer Focus

Mega money deals, controversial moves and big-name flops. This is the home of transfer news and opinion across Football FanCast.

A few months ago, stories came out linking him with a move to Real Madrid, but since then, the most prominent links have been to their city rivals, Atlético Madrid.

In fact, in April, reports were suggesting that the Argentine had already spoken to his compatriot, Diego Simeone, and as recently as late last month, more stories emerged claiming that the player had informed the Lilywhites that he wanted to join the Spanish giants.

While losing the World Cup winner would be far from ideal, there is a chance he could fetch the club a fee of around £60m, and that could help them sign a replacement or even upgrade, like Wilfried Singo.

According to a recent report from Caught Offside, the Europa League winners are among several teams interested in signing the AS Monaco star this summer.

Alongside Tottenham, the report claims that Arsenal, Atlético, Newcastle United and Napoli are all keen on the player, who’s set to cost around €35m – £29m – and talks are expected to progress soon.

It could be a complicated transfer to get over the line, but given Singo’s ability and potential, it’s one worth fighting for, especially as he could actually be an upgrade on Romero.

How Singo compares to Romero

Now, unlike with strikers, wingers and even some midfielders, where you can just look at their goals and assists, it can be rather difficult to cast any significant judgment over a defender without watching them for quite some time.

However, there are some ways in which we can still gauge how Singo stacks up against Romero, and the best is to take a deep dive into their statistics and compare their underlying numbers.

Interestingly, when we do this, it becomes clear that not only would the 6 foot 3 “monster,” as dubbed by respected analyst Ben Mattinson, be a good replacement for the possibly departing Argentine, but he could even end up being something of an upgrade.

For example, per FBref, the Ivorian international comes out ahead in the majority of relevant metrics, be that the attacking ones, like progressive passes and carries, or the defensive ones, like interceptions, clearances, blocked shots or percentage of aerial duels won, all per 90.

Moreover, the 24-year-old has another trick up his sleeve: positional versatility.

While he is primarily a centre-back, the Moncao gem can and has played at full-back and even right-midfield before, meaning he could provide the next Spurs boss with so many more tactical options.

Ultimately, Romero is an unreal player, but if he does leave, then Singo could be the perfect replacement and maybe even an upgrade.

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Chelsea are continuing to work on their summer recruitment plans, even after the pre-Club World Cup transfer deadline passed at 7pm on Tuesday, with manager Enzo Maresca still able to add new players to his squad midway through the tournament.

How Chelsea can still introduce new signings for the Club World Cup

It was thought that the mini-summer window, which opened from June 1 to June 10, would be Chelsea’s only opportunity to strengthen ahead of their CWC campaign.

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It was, after all, why the window was introduced in the first place – to hand competing teams a chance to register new players after long and gruelling 2024/2025 campaigns.

However, as per Sky Sports reporter Kaveh Solhekol in the last few days, Chelsea and other sides taking part in the tournament will also have a unique registration period to benefit from midway through the CWC.

Chelsea’s best performers in the Premier League last season

Average match rating

Cole Palmer

7.33

Moises Caicedo

7.02

Enzo Fernández

6.95

Nicolas Jackson

6.88

Noni Madueke

6.82

via WhoScored

From June 27 to July 3, just after the group stages finish, teams will be given the chance to add new players to their CWC roster – which allows Chelsea to introduce new signings who could take part in the knockout phase – if they indeed make it that far.

Chelsea missed out on deals for both AC Milan goalkeeper Mike Maignan and Borussia Dortmund’s Jamie Gittens before the pre-CWC window deadline, with the west Londoners walking away from the former after refusing to meet Milan’s asking price.

Chelsea made three last-minute bids for Gittens as well, but none of them could satisfy Dortmund, who kept demanding more and more money for the English sensation.

It is unclear whether Chelsea will maintain their pursuit of Gittens in time for the CWC unique registration period starting on June 27, but they could perhaps turn to Eintracht Frankfurt sensation Hugo Ekitike instead.

Chelsea in ongoing talks for Hugo Ekitike after pre-Club World Cup deadline

There are reports that Chelsea believe Ekitike could eventually rival Newcastle United star Alexander Isak, which is how highly they rate the Frenchman after his exceptional 22-goal campaign.

According to Sky Germany’s Florian Plettenberg, Chelsea are maintaining talks for Ekitike, despite failing to sign him in time for the CWC, so he’s still very much “one to watch”.

“Chelsea and Ekitike remain in talks for the summer transfer window – but Liverpool are still in the race,” said Plettenberg.

“One to watch in the coming weeks.”

The 22-year-old is very highly-rated, with ex-Inter Milan star Wesley Sneijder even calling him a blend of Neymar and Kylian Mbappe, so Ekitike could well be worth the punt – but not for his ridiculously high price tag of around £84 million.

“I think he’s a mix between Neymar and [Kylian] Mbappé. I sincerely think so,” said Sneijder.

“He has the grace of Neymar, but also the movements of Mbappé. To suddenly accelerate, that’s something that Mbappé also has. And he’s only 22 years old. There’s really a lot of potential in this boy.”