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      Bellingham tipped to emulate Rooney at next summer’s Euros… as he faces England legend on Birmingham farewell

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      JUDE BELLINGHAM has been tipped to star for England at next summer’s Euros — just like a teenage Wayne Rooney did 16 years ago.
      Birmingham sensation Bellingham became the world’s most expensive 17-year-old when he sealed his £30million move to Borussia Dortmund on Monday.

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      Birmingham wonderkid Jude Bellingham will play for Borussia Dortmund next seasonCredit: Getty Images – Getty

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      Wayne Rooney, then 18, took Euro 2004 by storm and was named in the team of the tournamentCredit: Getty Images – Getty
      Tonight he makes his farewell appearance for Brum, desperately hoping to help secure their Championship future as his parting gift.
      Standing in his way will be Derby’s veteran midfielder Rooney, who Bellingham will lock horns with for the first time in his fledgling career.
      The significance of the clash has not been lost on the Blues caretaker-boss, Steve Spooner, who nurtured the Stourbridge kid during his formative years in the academy.
      Spooner, 59, said: “The thought of Jude playing in a major tournament for England in a year is a distinct possibility.

      “His talent is limitless. A more focused boy you couldn’t get. He can achieve whatever he wants.
      “He has wonderful potential for this country going into major championships.
      “If it goes well for him with Dortmund in Germany, we have the Euros and World Cup coming up.
      “We have all seen what has happened with Jadon Sancho, who has gone on to represent England at the highest level.

      “Every challenge he ever came up against, he has risen to. So playing in a major tournament for England in a year’s time is a real possibility while he progresses at his current rate.”

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      Steve Spooner helped mould Jude Bellingham in the Birmingham youth ranksCredit: Rex Features

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      Derby player-coach Rooney, now 34, is coming to the end of his illustrious careerCredit: PA:Press Association
      Derby player-coach Rooney, 34, knows better than anyone what is required to make that massive step after he scored four goals in four games at Euro 2004.
      Despite England losing on penalties to Portugal in the quarter-finals, the 18-year-old Roo was named in Uefa’s Team of the Tournament.
      Spooner said: “From what I’ve read about Rooney, they both share a comic strip-style love of football — they are straight from those football annuals we used to read when we were kids.
      “Billy’s Boots and all that… they just seem to love football, that’s the first thing.
      “Technically, they share a tremendous range of passing, a change of pace to go past people, superb balance and the ability to play off either foot.
      “Both have also handled so much pressure at an early age.”

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      Bellingham will play his final match for Blues against Rooney and CoCredit: PA:Empics Sport

      Although Borussia Dortmund beat Manchester United to England’s outstanding teenage talent, Spooner admitted Bellingham could have played for any club in Europe.
      Spooner added: “There was a plethora of the very best clubs in Europe coming to our training ground to watch him.
      “We were used to Manchester United, Chelsea, Arsenal and Man City but it wasn’t so usual to have Bayern Munich, Dortmund, Ajax and Juventus joining them.”

      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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      Leeds hopeful over incredible Edinson Cavani transfer with Premier League new-boys also set to target Zlatan Ibrahimovic

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      AMBITIOUS Leeds are plotting moves for Zlatan Ibrahimovic AND Edinson Cavani ahead of their return to the Premier League.
      Club owner Andrea Radrizzani has spoken of the potential swoops for two of Europe’s most recognised goalscorers.

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      With over 350 career goals, Edinson Cavani would be a huge coup for LeedsCredit: Getty – Contributor

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      Ibrahimovic must decide on his AC Milan future before considering a switch to Elland RoadCredit: Getty Images – Getty
      However he admits the Whites’ chances of pulling off a deal are fairly slim.
      Radrizzani said in March that he held “concrete” talks with Swedish sensation Ibrahimovic during the winter window.
      However the veteran striker made a return to AC Milan, where he has scored six goals in 16 games to lead his former side to something of a resurgence.
      Radrizzani, 45, told Sky Sports Italia: “Ibrahimovic will certainly be difficult.

      “We tried to sign him in January, but he chose to join Milan and the deal vanished.
      “Now I think it’s too late, the intensity of English football is different.”
      EDIN OFF
      Ibrahimovic’s Milan contract expires at the end of next month and there is talk of him heading back to Sweden with Hammarby, or retiring.
      Likewise, Cavani’s Paris Saint-Germain deal runs out soon and the Uruguayan is seen as a more realistic option in Radrizzani’s eyes.

      While the Italian admits he is yet to discuss the forward arriving with Marcelo Bielsa, he feels the 33-year-old has plenty left to offer.

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      Leeds chief Andrea Radrizzani has spoken openly about a marquee signing for the club’s return to the top-flightCredit: PA:Press Association

      He noted: “In addition to his quality, Cavani could contribute with his physicality and adapt here, but I’ve never talked about him with the coach.
      “Having said that, we’ve certainly thought about him and we’ll see, given he’s still available on a free transfer.”
      Atletico Madrid were heavily linked with signing Cavani on a free transfer before the coronavirus pandemic, but are now looking elsewhere.

      Clean-up begins after Leeds United fans pack the streets to celebrate their promotion into the Premier League More

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      Neil Warnock confirms he is working for FREE and will meet with Middlesbrough owner to discuss ‘reward’ at end of season

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      NEIL WARNOCK says he will sit down on Thursday to discuss his “reward” with Steve Gibson if he keeps Middlesbrough up.
      The veteran took charge of the North East side last month after they dropped into the relegation zone with a 3-0 home defeat to Swansea and sacked Jonathan Woodgate.

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      Neil Warnock will discuss a ‘reward’ if he keeps Middlesbrough up at the end of the seasonCredit: Getty Images – Getty
      He described the job as the “hardest” of his long career but has guided them to three wins out of seven and the brink of safety.
      However, despite jumping straight into his new job alongside assistants Kevin Blackwell and Ronnie Jepson, he has not even discussed wages yet with Boro owner Steve Gibson and has refused to until Boro’s fate is determined.
      Warnock, 71, confirmed today: “We haven’t discussed things, Steve and myself.
      “I’m sure he’ll reward myself, Kevin and Ronnie if we achieve what we set out to do.”

      And when pressed on whether he will be staying, he said: “Steve and I will get together after the game, possibly on Thursday and have a chat.
      “Whatever happens I can offer quite a lot of advice.”
      Despite an upturn in results under him, Boro’s dreadful home form continued on Saturday as they went down 3-1 to Warnock’s old club Cardiff, leaving them winless at the Riverside since Boxing Day.

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      Warnock has been working for free since taking the Boro jobCredit: Getty Images – Getty
      That left them two points above the drop zone ahead of their final game at Sheffield Wednesday.

      They will be safe as long as Wigan do not successfully appeal their 12-point deduction.
      Should the Teessiders claim a point at Hillsborough then their goal difference is such that they will be almost guaranteed but for a freak set of results to remain in the Championship.
      Wednesday are facing a possible whopping deduction of 21 points after they were charged by the EFL with misconduct and accused owner Dejphon Chansiri of selling Hillsborough to try to avoid breaking spending rules.
      But despite the case being opened way back in November, a ruling has still not been delivered with no indication of one arriving soon.
      And that uncertainty regarding points deductions, appeals and ongoing investigations into Financial Fair Play, has left several teams at the bottom uncertain.
      And the veteran manager has blasted the uncertainty and chaos going into such a crunch day.
      Warnock added: “It just muddied the waters. All I know is we need a point to make sure we don’t have to worry. It’s not just Wigan but the Sheffield Wednesday situation.

      “It’s very difficult for the managers concerned. For me, things like that should be clarified.
      “We can take care of things on the field of play, and we are aware that we need another point to do that.
      “We’re all guessing and surmising about this and that. But at the end of the day, we’ve just got to get a point then we don’t have to worry about what’s going to happen with all of these situations.”

      Neil Warnock refusing to accept any money from Middlesbrough for managing team as he focuses on escaping relegation More

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      Danny Cowley plans on taking break from football after shock Huddersfield sacking over transfer row

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      DANNY COWLEY plans on taking a break from football after his shock sacking by Huddersfield.
      The 41-year-old, along with his assistant brother Nicky Cowley, was ruthlessly axed on Sunday by the Terriers.

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      Danny Cowley is set for a time-out from football after being sacked by HuddersfieldCredit: Getty Images
      It came just two days after the pair had confirmed the Yorkshire outfit’s Championship status with a 2-1 win over promotion hopefuls West Brom.
      Cowley is gutted not to be able to build on what he had started.
      He joined the club when they were 23rd in the table just ten months ago.
      But after 13 years of non-stop football management from non-league to England’s second tier, the Londoner now wants a short pause to reflect and recover before returning to the game.

      Huddersfield are set to appoint Carlos Corberan, Marcelo Bielsa’s assistant at Leeds, as Cowley’s successor.
      SunSport understands that Cowley was axed as owner Phil Hodgkinson wants total control over transfers — but his manager was not willing to work that way.
      Insiders claim the Terriers’ owner decided  he was going to dismiss the brothers during the coronavirus lockdown.
      A club source said: “Danny and Nicky had an inkling and could have just walked out.
      “But they wanted to see it through because so many jobs were at stake if they went down.”
      The Cowleys took over from Jan Siewert in September after the club had  one win in seven months.
      Despite only having one point from the first nine games, they kept the  club up. 
      No Championship team has ever survived from that position. More

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      Leeds defender Gaetano Berardi faces nine months out with devastating ACL injury sparking fears over new deal

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      LEEDS UNITED star Gaetano Berardi is facing nine months out after suffering an ACL tear.
      The 31-year-old defender was stretchered off during the champions’ 3-1 win at Derby County on Sunday.

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      Leeds star Gaetano Berardi tore his ACL against Derby on SundayCredit: PA:Press Association

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      The Swiss defender, who is out of contract this month, has been ruled out for nine monthsCredit: Rex Features
      The Swiss international underwent scans on the injury yesterday and now the club have confirmed the full extent of the damage to the soon-to-be out of contract ace.
      A statement said: “Leeds United defender Gaetano Berardi suffered an ACL tear in his knee during Sunday’s Sky Bet Championship fixture with Derby County.
      “Berardi, who was replaced in the 33rd minute of the match at Pride Park, had scans today which confirmed the injury.
      “The defender, who has made 25 appearances for the Whites during the campaign, now faces up to nine months on the sidelines.”
      Berardi will become a free agent later this month and it is unclear whether he will get an extension to his deal at Elland Road.

      The news puts a dampener on what has been a brilliant week for Marcelo Bielsa’s side.
      They were confirmed as champions last weekend after they ended a 16-year wait to return to the Premier League on Friday.

      Leeds face Charlton Athletic in their final game of the season on Wednesday.

      Clean-up begins after Leeds United fans pack the streets to celebrate their promotion into the Premier League More

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      James McClean slammed by ex-West Brom pal MacAuley for moaning about abuse as he says he’s disliked for his actions

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      GARETH McAULEY believes his former West Brom team-mate James McClean ‘doesn’t help himself’ after he stated he receives more abuse than any other footballer.
      The Stoke winger took to social media last week where he rightly supported the Black Lives Matter movement, but insisted authorities haven’t helped him when he’s been targeted online.

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      Stoke winger James McClean has spoken of the years of abuse he has receivedCredit: Rex Features
      McClean, 31, questioned whether one certain type of discrimination holds higher bearing than another, after Wilfried Zaha and David McGoldrick were the victims of vile racist messages.
      But McAuley has stated his actions from his career have led to fans disliking him.
      The ex-Sunderland man has endured years of abuse from fans in England due to his decision not to wear a poppy.
      This is because of his affinity to Derry and the role of the British Army during The Troubles. 

      Commenting on McClean’s comments on Twitter, McAuley wrote in his column for the Belfast Telegraph: “My old pal and West Brom team-mate James McClean had a point when he stated on social media last week that he is probably the most abused footballer in England.
      “I’ve played alongside James and heard the derogatory comments launched in his direction from the stands, never mind read the abuse dished out to him on the internet. It’s disconcerting.
      JAM IT IN
      “While Zaha is being targeted because of the colour of his skin, something he has absolutely no control over, James is not being singled out because he is Irish.
      “Thousands of Irish players over the years have been welcomed into the professional game in England.

      “It’s James’ actions, decisions and outbursts that have turned football fans, even from the clubs he plays for, against him.”
      He added: “It was not helped when he proudly dressed up on Instagram in a balaclava to home school his kids. Joke or not, it was seriously insensitive.
      “Then there was the time on a West Brom tour to the United States when James made sure he had his back turned to the Union Jack and subsequently the Stars and Stripes.
      “It was noted by proud Baggies fans and not forgotten. Yet another sign of disrespect. More

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      Leeds city centre left a mess with empty cans and bottles of booze all over ground after huge promotion party

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      LEEDS fans partied hard in the city centre celebrating the team’s promotion – but left behind masses of rubbish.
      The streets were littered with empty beer bottles and food packaging which will cause a major headache to council workers to clear up.

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      Council workers had a tough job on their hands on Monday morningCredit: PA:Press Association

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      Bins were overflowing with empty booze bottles after the weekend’s celebrationsCredit: PA:Press Association
      Marcelo Bielsa has masterminded a return to the Premier League for the first time in 16 seasons.
      Understandably jubilant fans congregated around Millennium Square in the city centre to toast their success – but left behind a mountain of trash.
      Bins were overflowing with booze bottles as workers had their work cut out to get things back to normal as around 7,000 people joined the party.
      Things got out of hand however, with SunSport reporting that a female police officer suffered a serious head injury as Leeds fans hurled bottles at cops.

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      Members of the public walk through what looks like a war zoneCredit: PA:Press Association

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      The council workers should be getting double time for their effortsCredit: PA:Press Association

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      A man surveys the post-party streets in Leeds city centreCredit: PA:Press Association
      Some Leeds fans threw bottles at officers, who made nine arrests for public order offences.
      The officer was rushed to hospital after being struck by a bottle during the attack, which left several other officers injured.
      Fifteen members of the public where also injured during the disturbances, with police blaming “a small minority of people”.
      Over the weekend fans danced on cars, lit flares and sprayed champagne on each other as they turned things up a notch.

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      Leeds fans partied in the streets after they sealed their return to the Premier LeagueCredit: Getty Images – Getty

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      Leeds United fans celebrated after winning the Sky Bet Championship title at Millennium SquareCredit: Getty Images – Getty

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      Flares and plenty of drinking came with the celebrationsCredit: Represented by ZUMA Press, Inc.

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      Up to 7,000 fans packed into the city centre to party hardCredit: Getty Images – Getty
      Police moved to protect vehicles around the stadium after at least four were damaged while five supporters were arrested for public order and driving offences.
      Others let off fireworks as they cheered on the players, who had gathered inside the stadium to watch the game between Huddersfield and West Brom on Friday night that saw them clinch promotion.
      The scenes mirrored those in Liverpool when The Reds won the Premier League last month.
      Huge mountains of rubbish and beer cans and bottles were also left outside the stadium which is just south of the city centre.

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      Leeds fans partied hard as the side finally made it back to the Premier LeagueCredit: PA:Press Association

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      Social distancing signs stand near to where there wasn’t any social distancing happening over the weekendCredit: PA:Press Association

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      It really was a team effort to clear up mountains of rubbish in LeedsCredit: PA:Press Association
      Bbut some fans returned to Elland Road at 6am on Saturday to help clean up the mess.
      Leeds manager Marcelo Bielsa, who celebrated by performing elbow bumps with fans at his home in nearby Wetherby, has had a street named after him.
      The street linking Trinity Leeds shopping centre to Commercial Street in the city centre will be renamed Marcelo Biesla Way in his honour.
      The team’s promotion to the Premier League was confirmed on Friday night after Huddersfield beat West Brom.
      They were then crowned champions when Brentford lost away at Stoke City on Saturday – which led to more ecstatic celebrations.
      The Yorkshire side went and added further gloss to their title triumph by easily beating Derby 3-1 away on Sunday.

      Former Manchester United favourite Wayne Rooney and his Derby team-mates had to give the new champs a guard of honour at the start of the game.
      Derby are of course the team involved in the notorious “Spygate” saga where Bielsa admitted sending a member of staff to spy on the Rams in a training session.
      The club were fined £200,000 for the scandal.

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      Leeds fans enjoyed a weekend of drinking and partying in the city centreCredit: PA:Press Association

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      Millenium Square in Leeds is undergoing a big clean-up operationCredit: PA:Press Association

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      Leeds players got their own party started after beating Derby 3-1Credit: Reuters

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      Marcelo Bielsa refused to let up and guided Leeds to another win at the weekendCredit: Rex Features

      Leeds promoted to the Premier League as thousands flock to Elland Road to celebrate More

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      Neil Warnock refusing to accept any money from Middlesbrough for managing team as he focuses on escaping relegation

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      NEIL WARNOCK is reportedly refusing to take any money from Middlesbrough until Championship safety is confirmed.
      The veteran took charge of the North East side last month after they dropped into the relegation zone with a 3-0 home defeat to Swansea.

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      Neil Warnock is refusing to accept any money at present from Middlesbrough for managing team as he focuses on escaping relegationCredit: Getty Images
      He described the job as the “hardest” of his long career but has guided them to three wins out of seven and the brink of safety.
      However, despite jumping straight into his new job alongside assistants Kevin Blackwell and Ronnie Jepson, he has not even discussed wages yet with Boro owner Steve Gibson.
      The Athletic claim “in spite of repeated attempts by Gibson to engage Warnock in talks about his salary, Warnock has insisted on concentrating on the task in hand” and is happy to wait until the end of the season.

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      Despite an upturn in results under him, Boro’s dreadful home form continued on Saturday as they went down 3-1 to Warnock’s old club Cardiff, leaving them winless at the Riverside since Boxing Day.

      That left them two points above the drop zone ahead of their final game at Sheffield Wednesday.
      They will be safe as long as Wigan do not successfully appeal their 12-point deduction.
      It remains to be seen whether the 71-year-old Warnock will stay next season.

      But Gibson is understood to have been impressed by his man-management and passion.
      And he is expected to offer the highly-experienced boss the job full-time once they eventually sit down to discuss money.

      Neil Warnock leaves fans in hysterics as Cardiff boss stares into TV camera More