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      Leon Goretzka poses for workout pics after body transformation as Bayern Munich stars stay in shape for Champions League

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      LEON GORETZKA showed the hard work never stops – even after you’ve just won the Bundesliga.
      The Bayern Munich star continued to show off the results of his stunning body transformation while the German kings wait for the Champions League to come back.

      It was more than a month ago that Bayern were crowned German champions for an eighth straight year.
      And despite beating Chelsea 3-0 at Stamford Bridge in their last-16 first-leg clash, Bayern and Goretzka in particular are refusing to take it easy.
      The Germany midfielder showed off his chiselled torso to his 1.1million Instagram followers.
      Goretzka, 25, stunned fans with his physical change during lockdown.

      He recently revealed it was all part of a carefully put-together plan designed to increase his size and mass.

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      The Germany midfielder has continued to work hard even in this time off

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      Goretzka has been working hard in the gym and the gains are there for all to seeCredit: AFP or licensors

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      Goretzka is now the muscular midfielder bossing the middle of the parkCredit: EPA

      He told Bild: “For me, lockdown was both a crisis and an opportunity.
      “A crisis because you miss football and daily training with the team, but also a chance to gain muscle mass in co-ordination with the physiotherapist.
      “In crucial games and moments, it is important to be physically and mentally fit.

      “The weight helps me in tackles, makes me a bit more agile and robust.
      “Not only on the ground in a one-on-one, but also in the air.”
      Bayern will welcome Frank Lampard’s side to the Allianz on August 8 with the tie seemingly sewed up after a 3-0 win at Stamford Bridge.
      But Goretzka said he and his team-mates – who have not played since the July 4 DFB Cup final victory over Bayer Leverkusen – are taking nothing for granted ahead of the clash.
      He said: “Chelsea have the advantage in that they are travelling to Munich just after the season, while we want to refind our rhythm.

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      Goretzka, here next to keeper Manuel Neuer, has clearly filled out from a few months agoCredit: AFP or licensors

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      All of the Bayern stars, including Robert Lewandowski, are continuing to work hard

      “We’ll do everything to make sure Chelsea won’t be successful again in Munich.
      “It’s clear to every one of us that the competition and our path to the final is extremely challenging.
      “But we’ve already had a great season, winning the league and cup. Now our focus is on Chelsea and the Champions League.”

      Thiago Alcantara shows off his awesome skills in Bayern Munich training More

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      Gotze voted Bundesliga’s ‘biggest disappointment’ ahead of Coutinho by fellow pros as Dortmund career comes to sad end

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      MARIO GOTZE’S sad end to his Borussia Dortmund career just got that bit worse.
      The World Cup winner beat Arsenal target Philippe Coutinho in a brutal players’ poll to find the Bundesliga’s biggest “disappointment”.

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      Mario Gotze faces an undignified exit at Borussia Dortmund after rejecting a pay cut and topping a player poll for biggest ‘disappointment’Credit: PA

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      Philippe Coutinho was fifth on the list of flops, as voted for by Bundesliga stars, but is again being linked with ArsenalCredit: PA:Press Association
      Dortmund are offloading Gotze as his contract ends this summer following a dramatic slump in form since his return from rivals Bayern Munich four years ago.
      And having won three Bundesliga crowns, the 28-year-old has now finished off with a domestic nomination he certainly did not want.
      German top-flight players put Gotze way ahead of his rivals on 30 per cent in their list of flops.
      Bayern keeper Alex Nuebel was next on 11.5 per cent, ahead of Botafogo’s ex-Hertha Berlin and Chelsea wideman Salomon Kalou, Schalke frontman Guido Burgstaller and Barcelona’s Bayern loanee Coutinho, with 3.7 per cent.

      Gotze was a key man when Germany won the ultimate prize in Brazil six years ago, scoring the extra-time winner in the final against Argentina.

      But his form faltered and in 2016 he was diagnosed with a muscular disorder called myopathy.
      Nonetheless, even Arsenal have been mentioned in the past as potential Premier League suitors for the 63-cap star.
      And with Barca reportedly interested in swapping Coutinho for outcast Gunners’ midfielder Matteo Guendouzi, Gotze will surely be mentioned in Prem circles again if his wage demands are realistic.

      The Bundesliga poll did, though, offer encouraging news for Chelsea over new signing Timo Werner and Manchester United for pursuing England attacker Jadon Sancho.

      Although Robert Lewandowski dominated the “best outfield player” category on 42.6 per cent, Sancho was second on 14.1 per cent and Werner fifth on 2.5 per cent.
      The most emphatic win came in the world’s “best trainer” section, where Liverpool’s title-winning boss Jurgen Klopp scored 74.8 per cent, ahead of second-placed Manchester City chief Pep Guardiola on 13 per cent.
      And there was also a landslide success for the Prem itself, rated by 74.4 per cent as the word’s top league, compared to a vote of 17.8 per cent for the Bundesliga.

      Barcelona ‘offer Arsenal Philippe Coutinho in swap transfer for bad-boy Guendouzi’ as Gunners try to offload midfielder More

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      Seven kids Dortmund made world-class like Lewandowski and Sancho after convincing Bellingham with youth development

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      JUDE BELLINGHAM is hoping to become the latest youngster to catapult himself on the European stage after joining Borussia Dortmund.
      The 17-year-old officially joined the Bundesliga outfit on Monday morning from Championship side Birmingham in a fee believed to be in the region of £25million.

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      Big things are expected of Jude Bellingham at Borussia DortmundCredit: Getty Images – Getty
      Bellingham is already considered to be one of England’s most promising talents after a season in which he has scored four times and provided three assists in 40 games.
      But there will now be expectation on the youngster to deliver after his big-money move, but he knows he is arguably at the perfect club for him to develop his talents.
      Dortmund are famed for putting trust in youthful players in their first team, and here SunSport looks at seven players that have flourished at Signal Iduna Park.
      ROBERT LEWANDOWSKI
      The Polish marksman joined BVB from Lech Poznan as a 21-year-old, and went on to become one of the most feared striker’s in Europe during his time at the club.

      In four seasons he scored a total of 103 goals in 187 games, before he joined Bayern Munich on a free transfer in 2014 – much to the dismay of Dortmund fans.
      Supporters felt betrayed after he joined their rivals, despite winning two consecutive German top-flight titles.

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      Robert Lewandowski joined Bayer Munich after four fantastic seasons with BVBCredit: Getty Images – Getty
      JADON SANCHO
      Bellingham will be hoping his English compatriot stays at the club, despite Manchester United looking to bring him back to the Premier League.
      Sancho joined BVB as a 17-year-old from Manchester City in 2017 before he had even made his senior debut.

      After bursting through in his opening campaign in Germany, Sancho is now regarded as one of the top wingers in world football.
      And he enjoyed another scintillating season this term – chipping in with 20 goals and 20 assists.

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      The future of Jadon Sancho remains unclear with Manchester United desperate to sign himCredit: Getty Images – Getty
      ERLING HAALAND
      Although he only joined Dortmund from Red Bull Salzburg in January with the reputation as a deadly finisher, few expected the Norwegian ace to maintain his goalscoring exploits at a higher level.
      Prior to his arrival, he had banged in 28 goals for Salzburg this term, but he has added a whopping 16 strikes at Dortmund bringing his tally for the season to 44.
      Much of that is down to how the club have managed Haaland, and how they find players that are perfectly suited to their style of play.
      OUSMANE DEMBELE
      Dembele spent just one year in Germany after joining from Rennes in 2016 for £13.5m.
      A year later he signed for Barcelona for a staggering £124m after a campaign that saw him score ten goals and provide 21 assists in 49 matches.
      CHRISTIAN PULISIC
      The American winger, 21, now at Chelsea, came through the academy at Dortmund after joining their youth team in 2015.
      And he proved that if you’re good enough you’re old enough, as he made his debut in January 2016, where he cemented himself as a key player in the first team.
      After scoring 19 goals in 127 games, he linked up with the Blues last summer in a £58million deal.
      MARIO GOTZE
      Another player that came through the ranks at Dortmund, Gotze made his debut for the club as a 17-year-old in 2009.
      Like Lewandowski, he was a huge part of their two Bundesliga title-winning seasons, before he too opted to join Bayern on a free.
      And it was his goal that secured the 2014 World Cup for Germany thanks to his beautiful volley in extra time.

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      TOMAS ROSICKY
      Despite spending ten years at Arsenal, it was at Dortmund where the Czech playmaker made his name.
      He joined the side from Sparta Prague in January 2001 as a 20-year-old, and quickly became the club’s key creative spark in the final third.
      His first full season saw him win the Bundesliga title, while he was also a losing finalist in the Uefa Cup.

      Perry Groves says ‘hats off’ to Jude Bellingham after 17-year-old seals £23m move to Borussia Dortmund from Birmingham City More

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      Jude Bellingham completes Borussia Dortmund transfer and admits club’s famed youth development saw him snub Man Utd

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      BORUSSIA DORTMUND have confirmed the £25m signing of teenager Jude Bellingham from Birmingham City in hilarious fashion.
      The 17-year-old midfielder’s arrival was announced with his new team-mates enjoying a singalong to Hey Jude by The Beatles on the club’s official Twitter account.

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      Borussia Dortmund have confirmed the signing of Jude Bellingham from BirminghamCredit: Borussia Dortmund

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      Jude Bellingham (C) poses as he sings his contract next to Dortmund CEO Hans-Joachim Watzke (L) and sporting director Michael ZorcCredit: Getty Images

      Bellingham snubbed Manchester United to join the Bundesliga giants on a “long-term” contract.
      And he hailed the history of youth development at his new club as the reason he joined.
      He said: “I can’t thank Birmingham City enough for what the club did for me – not just this season, but since I came to the club when I was seven.
      “Now I’m really excited to join one of the biggest clubs in Europe.

      “BVB’s path, but especially how they help young players to improve, made the decision very easy for me personally and for my whole family.
      “I can’t wait to play in one of the most beautiful stadiums in the world.”

      Dortmund’s sporting director Michael Zorc added: “Jude Bellingham confidently chose BVB and, of course, was primarily concerned with the sporting perspective that we showed him.
      “He has enormous potential that we share and want to develop with him in the coming years.

      “He already has a surprising amount of quality in his own possession as well as against the ball, and on top of that, the player also has a strong mentality.
      “We immediately see Jude as a reinforcement for our professional squad, but of course we will also give him the time to get used to the higher level.”
      England Under-17 international Bellingham has starred for Birmingham in the Championship despite their struggles.
      He has scored four and provided three assists during 40 appearances for Brum.
      The ace will join up with his new colleagues on July 30 and will wear shirt number 22.
      He snubbed both Manchester United and Bayern Munich to pen his £60,000-a-week deal at Dortmund.
      Sir Alex Ferguson even gave him a guided tour of United’s Carrington HQ in an attempt to secure his services.
      And Bayern were offering to both outbid Dortmund and beat the wages on offer.
      Dortmund increased their initial offer agreed with Blues but Bayern were  confident of landing the talented teen.
      Bellingham spoke to Bayern in those last-minute talks but felt heading to Dortmund, a club famed for giving youth — such as England winger Jadon Sancho — a chance,  was a much more sensible move.

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      Jude Bellingham snubbed both Manchester United and Bayern Munich to join DortmundCredit: Getty Images

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      Bellingham will wear the No 22 shirt for Dortmund next seasonCredit: Getty Images

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      Borussia Dortmund have a reputation of buying low and selling high – and it may just be holding them back

      Simon Jordan gives his opinion on Man Utd’s interest in Jude Bellingham More

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      Ex-Chelsea star Andre Schurrle retires aged just 29 as Germany World Cup winner admits career left him lonely

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      ANDRE SCHURRLE has announced his shock decision to retire from football at the age of 29.
      The 2014 World Cup winner cancelled his contract at Borussia Dortmund earlier this week following a loan spell at Spartak Moscow.

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      Schurrle helped win the Premier League in an 18-month spell at ChelseaCredit: News Group Newspapers Ltd

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      The German played 57 times for his country, scoring 22 goalsCredit: Getty – Contributor
      In a revealing interview with Der Spiegel, Schurrle announced that: “The decision has matured in me for a long time.”
      Having experienced success with Bayer Leverkusen, Chelsea, Wolfsburg and Borussia Dortmund, the winger has opened up on the loneliness he suffered at the top of the game.
      Schurrle has revealed the personal sacrifices he made for his career, stating that as “the depths became deeper, the highlights were less and less”.
      He added: “You always have to play a certain role in order to survive in the business, otherwise you will lose your job and you will not get a new one.”

      In a touching Instagram post, the player explained: “I want to let you know that I’m stepping away from playing professional football!!
      “On behalf of myself and my family I want to thank everybody who was a part of these phenomenal years!

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      Schurrle earned an £18million move to Chelsea after starring for Bayer LeverkusenCredit: News Group Newspapers Ltd

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      The 29-year-old suffered relegation from the Premier League in a year with FulhamCredit: Getty Images – Getty
      “The support and love you shared with me was unbelievable and more I could have ever asked for!
      “Now I’m ready and open for all the beautiful possibilities that are coming towards me.”

      At the age of just 18, Schurrle made his Bundesliga debut with Mainz and earned a move to Leverkusen after two seasons.
      Chelsea came calling in 2013 although the winger left after 18 months in West London, halfway through the club’s title-winning campaign under Jose Mourinho.

      With a tally of 14 goals in 65 appearances for the Blues, he headed to Wolfsburg and quickly won the DFB-Pokal.
      A 2016 move to Borussia Dortmund did not go to plan and Schurrle was shipped out on loan to Fulham and Spartak in recent seasons.
      Undoubtedly his best moment in the game came in the 2014 World Cup, helping Germany with the title with three goals in Brazil – including a brace in the infamous semi-final romp past the hosts.

      Mario Gotze shows off his Tennis skills as he holidays with Andre Schurrle in Mallorca after missing out on Germany squad More

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      Ex-Arsenal star Serge Gnabry goes public with model girlfriend Sandra Jerze as she posts loved-up holiday snap

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      BAYERN MUNICH forward Serge Gnabry has scored off the pitch as well as on it after bagging himself a model girlfriend.
      The 25-year-old – who scored in the German Cup final against Bayer Leverkusen earlier this month – is on a well-earned break before he is due to return ahead of the resumption of the Champions League.

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      Serge Gnabry and Sandra Jerze are believed to have been dating since March
      And he has wasted no time in jetting off with his partner Sandra Jerze – who posted a snap of the two together on holiday in Greece.
      SunSport reported in April how the ex-Arsenal winger had been cosying up to the 23-year-old and were in the early stages of a relationship.
      But the two have now went official in their romance, with Swiss beauty Jerze sharing a picture of them during their Greek getaway.
      The model posted the picture on her Instagram story to her 28,900 followers.

      In the photo, a smitten Gnabry can be seen with his arm around Jerze’s belly as she leans back resting on his shoulder.
      And Arsenal fans will be hoping to see her at the Emirates next campaign after fans begged Gnabry to “come home” after he wore a Gunners top during a Bayern video call.
      It’s been another stunning season for the ex-Werder Bremen ace as he won his second consecutive domestic double.

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      Swiss model Jerze boasts almost 29,000 followers on InstagramCredit: Instagram @Jerze

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      A post shared by JERZE SANDRA (@jerze) on Jul 16, 2020 at 11:11am PDT

      In 42 games in all competitions this term, he has chipped in with an incredible 20 goals while also providing 13 assists.

      And the Bavarian outfit will hope his form continues when the club face Chelsea in their Champions League Round of 16 second leg tie at the Allianz Arena next month.
      Gnabry already scored twice in 3-0 first leg victory at Stamford Bridge, and he banged in four on his previous return to London away at Tottenham in the group stage.

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      A post shared by JERZE SANDRA (@jerze) on Jul 9, 2020 at 10:09am PDT

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      A post shared by JERZE SANDRA (@jerze) on May 31, 2020 at 12:24pm PDT

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      A post shared by JERZE SANDRA (@jerze) on Mar 29, 2020 at 9:28am PDT

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      Serge Gnabry wears Arsenal shirt during Bayern Munich conference call More

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      Jude Bellingham at Dortmund training ground as 17-year-old signs five-year deal and seals £23m transfer from Birmingham

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      JUDE BELLINGHAM arrived at Borussia Dortmund’s training ground as he signed a five-year deal to seal his £23million transfer from Birmingham.
      The 17-year-old snubbed interest from Manchester United as well as Chelsea, Real Madrid and Bayern Munich.

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      Jude Bellingham arrived at Borussia Dortmund’s training ground as he signed a five-year deal
      Bellingham is said to have been swayed by Dortmund’s history of building stars and the chance to be a regular starter in Germany’s top flight.
      According to Fabrizio Romano, the teen sensation completed his medical and signed until 2025.
      Bellingham is free to sign a pro contract having turned 17 on June 30.
      Despite being shown around United’s training ground by Sir Alex Ferguson in March, the player and his family feel Dortmund will be a better place for him to flourish.

      United also saw the German giants pip them to Norwegian striker Erling Haaland at the start of the year.
      Dortmund have all but landed England prospect  Bellingham on the cheap, having seen their initial £30m January offer rejected by Birmingham.
      Two months later, Dortmund, United and Chelsea were all  prepared to pay £35m with a  further £15m in add-ons.

      But the coronavirus crisis has had a major impact on transfers fees, meaning Birmingham accepted £23m.

      Playmaker Bellingham became the Championship club’s youngest player at 16 years and 38 days in the Carabao Cup last August.
      He has scored four goals and bagged three assists from 41 games in all competitions for the Blues this season.

      Simon Jordan gives his opinion on Man Utd’s interest in Jude Bellingham More

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      Erling Haaland spends summer holiday POTATO farming and cutting down trees as Dortmund ace spends time with dad Alf-Inge

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      ERLING HAALAND is using his summer holidays to brush up on his farming skills while working alongside dad Alf-Inge in Norway.
      When he’s not scoring goals for Borussia Dortmund, the 19-year-old can be found farming potatoes and chopping down trees.

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      Erling Haaland has proved he is a man of many talents

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      Team-mate Jadon Sancho could not control his laughter after Erling Haaland posted this snap
      Haaland has been getting down and dirty in his homeland after returning for a well-deserved break.
      The former Red Bull Salzburg star posted a picture of himself holding a chainsaw.
      Haaland, who was wearing safety glasses, captioned the snap: “The winter is coming. Let’s chop some wood.”
      Team-mate Jadon Sancho could not control his hysterics as he commented 11 laughing emojis.

      In response to Sancho, Haaland said: “One day you will join.”
      And fellow Dortmund star Gio Reyna commented: “Winter is in 5 months.”
      But the 19-year-old was quick to explain why he was already preparing for colder conditions.
      He said: “The wood has to dry out before you use it!!!!”

      Haaland then followed up that photograph with a snap of himself potato farming.
      The former Manchester United target has temporarily swapped his Mercedes CLA for a tractor.
      He soaked up the sunshine as he farmed the fields without his shirt on.
      Alongside an emoji of a potato, he wrote: “Working.”

      Haaland has been keeping himself busy working with his father Alf-Inge – who played for the likes of Leeds United and Manchester City.
      But the youngster hit the headlines for all of the wrong reasons this week in Norway.
      Video footage appeared to show him being thrown out of a nightclub after arguing with bouncers.
      He has been on holiday since Bundesliga runners-up Dortmund ended their season last month with a 4-0 defeat to Hoffenheim.
      He racked up 44 goals in all competitions during the 2019/20 season.
      Sixteen of those came for Dortmund after he snubbed Manchester United to join them from RB Leipzig in January.

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      Erling Haaland snubbed interest from United to join Dortmund Credit: Getty Images – Getty

      Erling Haaland appears to be thrown out of club before Borussia Dortmund ace confronts and shouts at security in Norway More