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      Jude Bellingham blasted over ‘discipline’ and told to ‘play differently’ amid Man Utd and Chelsea transfer interest

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      BORUSSIA DORTMUND superstar Jude Bellingham has been put on full blast because he “doesn’t have discipline”.That is according to Liverpool hero Dietmar Hamann, who insists Bellingham needs to work on his game if he wants to join a bigger club.
      Borussia Dortmund star Jude Bellingham has been slammed for lacking disciplineCredit: Getty
      Dietmar Hamann insists Bellingham has to work on his game amid intense interestCredit: Getty – Contributor
      The midfielder has attracted immense interest from some of Europe’s heaviest hitters, such as Manchester United, Manchester City, Chelsea, Real Madrid and the Reds.
      Hamann claims the England international isn’t used to criticism as he suggested he gets treated favourably at Dortmund.
      However, the ex-Germany international insists that won’t be the case at a bigger club.
      The former City star added that the 19-year-old will have to learn how to help at the back and move forward in order to take his game to the next level.
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      Hamann told Sky Sports: “What Bellingham doesn’t have is discipline.
      “He may want to return to the island [England] or Real Madrid. He has to play differently.
      “At Dortmund he can do what he wants. Nobody dares to say anything.
      “Because they’re afraid of upsetting him. If you have that as a team-mate, you’ll have a problem.
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      “If he doesn’t do anything forwards and backwards, what does he do then?
      “Obviously he is an exceptional player. But he has to get his discipline under control.”
      Dortmund are unlikely to sell Bellingham for anything less than €150million (£130m) in the summer. More

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      Ex-Chelsea stars fear Frank Lampard will have awkward dressing room after ‘resentful’ player’s comments on manager

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      FORMER Chelsea stars Frank Leboeuf and Mario Melchiot fear for Blues keeper Kepa Arrizabalaga.The Spanish stopper aimed a dig at Frank Lampard last year when talking about the Stamford Bridge icon’s first spell in charge.
      Two former Chelsea stars fear Frank Lampard and Kepa Arrizabalaga could be in for an awkward reunionCredit: Getty – Contributor
      Lampard was sacked in 2021 but has now returned as caretaker boss until the end of the season.
      And Melchiot, 46, claimed it will be “hard” for Kepa to be in the same dressing room as Chelsea legend Lampard again.
      Lebouef, 55, said Kepa’s “resentful” comments could come back to haunt him, especially if Lampard ends up getting the job permanently.
      Kepa, 28, played in Lampard’s first game back as boss – a 1-0 defeat away at Wolves.
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      But former centre-back Lebouef told ESPN FC: “Kepa was very resentful towards Lampard when Lampard left and had some bad words, so if they achieve something with Lampard, you don’t know what’s going to happen to Kepa.”
      Meanwhile, ex-defender Melchiot said: “Do you know how hard it will be for Kepa to be in the dressing room?
      “You had a go at your coach and that coach comes back and now you have to sit with him.
      “Oh my God… I don’t know what Kepa is going to do.
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      “I want to give advice to any footballer: never talk about your coach in public, always do it directly. You might meet him again.”
      Kepa made 33 Premier League appearances in Lampard’s first season as boss.
      But the arrival of Edouard Mendy in September 2020 saw Kepa fall below the Senegalese stopper in the pecking order.
      And last year, Kepa told Marca: “We came from a not so elaborate game [with Lampard], we didn’t have to take the ball from behind, a less planned game, more to the free expression of the player, back and forth and less control.
      “With Tuchel we have returned to control.
      “It is true that in the Premier League we were not close to the top two, but in the other tournaments we have been very competitive.” More

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      Chelsea player ratings: Kai Havertz flat again on Frank Lampard return but Wesley Fofana shows fight for the Blues

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      FRANK LAMPARD’S Chelsea return failed to get the Blues firing as they fell to another limp defeat to Wolves. The London side barely had a clear cut chance all afternoon as they suffered loss for the second Saturday running.
      Wesley Fofana was one of the few good performers for Chelsea in their midlands defeatCredit: Getty
      Frank Lampard signed Kai Havertz in 2020 and, almost three years on, fans are still trying to work out what exactly he does wellCredit: Getty
      A stunning goal from Matheus Nunes was enough to grab Wolves a vital three points.
      While Chelsea fans were left with only despair ahead of their Champions League showdown with Real Madrid.
      SunSport’s Kiro Evans had a look at which Blues stars showed up for their new boss and who under-performed again.
      Kepa Arrizabalaga – 7
      After a dramatic week at Chelsea, it would have been quite the twist for their former striker Diego Costa to net his first goal for Wolves.
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      But Kepa Arrizabalaga was on hand to charge down his first-half shot, while there was nothing he could do for Matheus Nunes’ wonder strike.
      The Spaniard was also lucky to escape without punishment after some wayward second-half distribution.
      Reece James – 6
      Defensively James gave Daniel Podence too much space for Wolves’ opening goal.
      But the 23-year-old, playing in a more conservative right-back spot under Lampard, did still try to make things happen going forward and was menacing on the overlap.
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      Wesley Fofana – 8
      While Chelsea’s forward players floundered, Wesley Fofana had another great game at the back for Chelsea.
      The Frenchman made several key interventions throughout the game, including one outstanding tackle of the edge of the six-yard box to close down Joao Gomes.
      Strangely subbed off after 79 minutes for Trevoh Chalobah.
      Kalidou Koulibaly – 6
      The 31-year-old was slightly unlucky as Daniel Podence’s cross took a deflection before barrelling into his path.
      But Kalidou Koulibaly’s weak header took the ball directly towards Matheus Nunes who unleashed a ferocious volley beyond Kepa.
      Marc Cucurella – 6
      Marc Cucurella was enjoying a fairly quiet afternoon for the first half hour with Wolves posing little threat.
      But the full-back certainly should have closed down Nunes quicker for the opening goal, and was partially culpable along with Koulibaly and James. And in the second-half he was booked for a reckless sliding challenge on Nunes.
      Enzo Fernandez – 7
      If Chelsea are doing something good on the ball than there’s a 95 per cent chance that Enzo Fernandez is involved.
      That remained true at Molineux with the first 20 minutes seeing the World Cup winner and Mateo Kovacic direct traffic in midfield while Wolves were still finding their feet.
      But he became less effective as the game wore on.
      Mateo Kovacic – 6
      A steady game in the middle of the park as the Croatian continues to grow a dynamic partnership with Fernandez.
      He also had to be sharp defensively to snuff out a Wolves second-half counter-attack.
      Conor Gallagher – 5
      The 23-year-old was initially meant to be Kai Havertz’s main support act as Frank Lampard played a 4-5-1 with Joao Felix out wide on the left.
      But Gallagher was not in sync with the rest of the team and when he did find his feet in the second-half, his final ball was lacking.
      Joao Felix – 6
      Lampard’s decision to revert to a back four saw Joao Felix stuck out over on the left hand side.
      It was a questionable tactical call and Felix, despite his best efforts, felt marginalised and on the fringes.
      It’s little wonder Chelsea failed to create decent chances for most of the game.
      Kai Havertz – 5
      It’s becoming increasingly difficult to understand why Havertz is an automatic starter for the Blues.
      While he showed more life in the second-half, the German spends most of his time feeling like a loose piece in Chelsea’s jigsaw and Lampard may have less patience for his obvious shortcomings than Thomas Tuchel or Graham Potter.
      Raheem Sterling – 5
      It was a difficult afternoon for the Chelsea winger. Wolves full-back Totti had him under a close watch and Sterling was left acting as a distraction to give James more space on the overlap.
      Failed to offer much more in the second-half before being hooked off.
      Subs
      Christian Pulisic (on for Havertz, 60) – 5
      On for the ineffective Havertz after an hour, the American did not much threat.
      But he had half a shout for a penalty when he tried to pounce upon Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang’s close range shot but was blocked off by Kilman.
      Ben Chilwell (on for Cucurella, 67) – 5
      Many fans will be wondering why Ben Chilwell was once again relegated to the bench while Cucurella started.
      But the full-back had a chance deep in stoppage time after some decent interplay from Aubameyang and Mykhailo Mudryk and blasted a shot over from the edge of the box.
      Mykhailo Mudryk (on for Felix, 67) – 5
      By the time Mudryk had made his appearance, Wolves had decided to park the bus and hang onto what they had.
      With little space available for the winger, he had another forgettable outing in a Chelsea shirt.
      Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang (on for Sterling, 67) – 6
      Seemingly no longer frozen out at Chelsea after the managerial change, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang would have wanted to show Blues fans what they were missing.
      Read More on The Sun
      But his only chance in the final 23 minutes was a header from eight yards out which he put wide.
      Trevoh Chalobah (on for Fofana, 79) – 6
      There was little for Chalobah to do after his introduction. More

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      Wolves 1 Chelsea 0: Frank Lampard loses second managerial Blues debut after Matheus Nunes thunderbolt

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      FRANK LAMPARD has returned to become Chelsea’s saviour this season but not even The Second Coming could help this sorry mess of a club.Initially excited over his shock return as manager, Lampard could be forgiven for handing back the keys of his office at the club’s training ground and going back on an extended holiday.
      Wolves beat Chelsea by one goalCredit: Reuters
      Matheus Nunes scored a brilliant goal to help Wolves’ battle against relegationCredit: Getty
      Frank Lampard was taking charge of Chelsea in his second managerial debut at the clubCredit: Reuters
      While Wolves deserved their win, thanks to an absolute belter from Matheus Nunes, Chelsea were an utter shambles and it was a case of new manager, same old story.
      It was a game here in September 2019 which saw the Lampard’s initial reign enjoy take off in spectacular style courtesy of a 5-2 victory but there was never any sign of a repeat in his first game back in charge.
      Chelsea were weak in midfield, had no bite up front and the substitutes made no difference and overall. It was an absolute shambles.
      You can only imagine the damage the Blues could suffer away to Real Madrid in the Champions League quarter-finals on Wednesday if they play like this.
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      On current form, that is unlikely to change because despite the sacking of Graham Potter, this was the same old performance from a side which has slipped into mid-table despite bonkers spending in the transfer market.
      Chelsea have now won just two of their last 11 Premier League matches. As for Lampard, he has lost six of his last nine League matches as Chelsea boss.
      But while it was another miserable day for the West London club, this was a key one for Wolves boss Julen Lopetegui.
      Wolves are in trouble but their home form should be enough to keep them in the division.
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      And this year has also seen them deliver some decent results against the so-called bigger clubs with Chelsea following Spurs and Liverpool by leaving the Black Country without any points.
      The only disappointment for Wolves is that they could be in trouble with the FA as their fans twice sang homophobic chants aimed at the Chelsea team, despite being warned by the stadium PA announcer after the first time.
      Nunes’ goal was his first since a £38m arrival from Sporting Lisbon but he also played a part in controlling the midfield.
      Unsurprisingly, hundreds of Chelsea fans waited for the visiting coach to arrive. While there was little noise when the players stepped off the bus, the noise erupted once Lampard appeared.
      Lampard named a much-changed teamCredit: AFP
      And of the 20 players Lampard picked for his squad, he had previously managed just nine of them.
      Only four of those players were handed starts, namely Kepa, Reece James, Christian Pulisic and Kai Havertz.
      All eyes were on whether Lampard would throw his beloved Mason Mount into the team, yet the England midfielder suffered a recurrence of his hit injury so did not travel.
      Another notable absentee was fit-against N’Golo Kante but considering he has only just returned from nearly eight months on the sidelines, he is being rested for Wednesday’s Champions League trip to Real Madrid and is certain to start at the Bernabeu.
      N’Golo Kante was rested for the matchCredit: Getty
      Although Lampard’s backroom team had not been officially announced, coaches Ashley Cole, Joe Edwards and Chris Jones were all involved in putting the team through the warm-up at Molineux.
      Yet there was no sign of either Bruno Saltor or Bjorn Hamberg who stayed on at the club despite Potter’s sacking to take temporary charge.
      Lampard would have wanted his team to make an immediate impact but they started off well enough, without causing too much discomfort to Wolves who grew into the game.
      We had to wait nearly 30 minutes for an effort of note but Mario Lemina’s goal-bound shot was deflected wide by Wesley Fofana. 
      Nunes’ goal stood out from the gameCredit: Getty
      So it was all a bit dull until Nunes’ stunning strike which certainly did not belong to this game.
      Chelsea thought they were probably safe after Kalidou Koulibaly got his head to a cross from  Daniel Podence but with full-back Marc Cucurella hesitating, Nunes hammered his right-footed half-volley from inside the corner of the area and Kepa had no chance.
      Diego Costa, given a good reception by Chelsea’s fans before the game, could have had a second against his former club but belted a shot straight at Kepa
      Chelsea’s laughably-bad first half performance was summed up when Connor Gallager sent a harmless cross sailing into the arms of Jose Sa rather than play the ball back to Enzo Fernandez who screamed at his team-mate in disgust.
      Chelsea struggled to create many chances against WolvesCredit: AFP
      Even though Chelsea had six corners in a short space of time in the first half, they failed to create a single chance.
      The second half was very much the same Wolves defensively solid and Chelsea unable to take control of the midfield.
      Read More on The Sun
      Lampard’s first substitution of his new era was bringing Christian Pulisic for the anonymous Kai Havertz just past the hour and soon after, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, Mykhailo Mudryk and Ben Chilwell were brought on but there was no difference.
      Wolves were unable to kill the game off but Chelsea’s opponents in Europe are unlikely to be so kind. More

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      Frank Lampard explains decision to DROP N’Golo Kante from squad in second managerial debut for Chelsea vs Wolves

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      FRANK LAMPARD has revealed why N’Golo Kante was dropped from Chelsea’s team to face Wolves. Kante had a starring role as Chelsea drew 0-0 with Liverpool in midweek.
      Frank Lampard has caused a stir with his first Chelsea line upCredit: AFP
      N’Golo Kante was dropped for the game against WolvesCredit: Rex
      But Lampard, who is back at Chelsea as caretaker manager, opted not to play Kante for the Blues visit to Wolves.
      On the decision, Lampard said the injury-prone Frenchman was being “rested”.
      He explained: “We have to protect a couple of the players in the squad.”
      Kante missed the majority of the season with a hamstring injury before returning last week against Aston Villa.
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      It means now-axed boss Graham Potter did not have the chance to utilise arguably his best ball-winner throughout his tenure.
      Mason Mount had been expected to play a role in Lampard’s first game after returning from his own injury issues.
      However, an aggravation in training on Friday meant he was unable to even make the bench for the trip to Wolves.
      On Mount, Lampard said: “Mason has always been a fantastic player for me.
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      “I know he’s had a few injury problems so it’ll be important for me to speak to him about that and find out where he’s at.
      “It’s an absolute pleasure to watch him, and other players like Reece James, Tammy Abraham and [Fikayo] Tomori to go on and be huge players here or elsewhere.
      “But I know what I get from Mason. I just want to see him perform on the pitch.
      “We have a good relationship. We talk a lot. He’s been a huge player for Chelsea.”
      The Blues’ next game following this will be a Champions League clash against current holders Real Madrid.
      You can keep up to date with the Wolves and Chelsea clash via SunSport’s live blog here. More

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      How much each Premier League clubs pays in wages per point as Chelsea and Liverpool revealed to be biggest flops

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      BRENTFORD and Brighton are the Premier League’s biggest overachievers this season.Compared to their modest wage bills, the duo have had the most value from their point tallies.
      Brentford are the Premier League’s biggest overachieversCredit: Getty
      Brighton are also enjoying success despite having a small wage billCredit: Getty
      Liverpool and Chelsea are both paying the most for each point they earn this seasonCredit: Rex
      How Premier League sides are performing to their wage bill
      Premier League sides released their wage bills for the past financial year in March, which pretty much covers the current campaign.
      The Bees have had the most value from Thomas Frank’s squad.
      The club currently sit 9th in the table, despite having the 18th lowest wage bill in the Premier League.
      This gives Brentford a plus nine differential, the biggest overachievement in the division.
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      With the annual wage bill at £68million, the club’s points tally of 43 means that they have only spent £1.6m per point.
      In a similar theme, Brighton are also seeing great value in the club’s philosophy.
      The Seagulls are currently challenging for a spot in Europe and are 6th in the table.
      However, the South Coast side has the 14th lowest wage bill, giving them a plus eight differential.
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      Brighton have only paid £2m per point that they collected this season.
      Whereas the league’s big spenders, such as Chelsea and Liverpool, have proved that spending big does not always yield results.
      The two clubs have both paid £8.5m per point this season, with the duo struggling outside of the European qualifying spots.
      Crystal Palace are the only club in the league that are in a corresponding position to their wage bill.
      Crystal Palace are performing as expected with their wage billCredit: Getty
      The Eagles are currently 12th in the table and have the 12th biggest wages bill at £133m annually.
      Each point earned by the Selhurst-based side has cost £4.4m.
      Newcastle are another one of the league’s overachievers.
      The Magpies are currently 3rd in the table, despite only having the 9th largest wage bill.
      However, with the club’s mega-rich owners, the wages are likely to increase over the next few seasons.
      Manchester United have the largest wage bill in the league at £384m per year.
      Read More on The Sun
      But they are better value for money than Chelsea and Liverpool, as each of their 50 points has cost £7.7m.
      Although, with the club in 5th place, they are underperforming by four places.
      Manchester United has the highest wage bill in the Premier LeagueCredit: AFP More

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      Frank Lampard’s horror Chelsea in-tray revealed with not enough strikers, too many squad players and Madrid on Wednesday

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      FRANK LAMPARD has only been away from his beloved Chelsea for barely two years since getting the sack as boss.Yet there will still be a raft of new faces for him to get to know.Since last summer alone the club has signed 17 players.
      Mason Mount is a favourite of Frank Lampard but where to play him will be a headache amid a huge squad stuffed with creative playersCredit: Getty
      If and where Kai Havertz fits in is just one of Lampard’s dilemmasCredit: AFP
      Frank Lampard must still be working through all his optionsCredit: Getty
      Some, like Raheem Sterling will be familiar, others complete strangers, such as Enzo Fernandez, Benoit Badiashile and Mykhailo Mudryk.
      Lampard has only nine Prem games left  to turn around a season that is drifting away despite investment of almost £600million on players alone.
      There is also Wednesday’s Champions League quarter-final at Real Madrid to contend with.
      Here’s what is in Lampard’s in-tray as he prepares for his first game back in charge — at Wolves today.

      MOUNT A FIGHTBACK
      Lampard answered Chelsea chairman Todd Boehly’s SOS so he is doing the American a favour. But he must still be firm over doing things his way.
      Midfielder Mason Mount has not got a look in lately despite being fit again.
      Coincidence that one of the club’s most devoted and attacking threats has been kept in mothballs while his contract talks have stalled?
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      Lampard loves Mount, gave him his breakthrough and believes he can be a hugely potent weapon in lifting the tempo of a team which has scored only 29 Premier League goals — fewer than any of the ten teams above them.
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      KEEPERS
      An area to watch closely. Lampard was never a huge fan of Spain’s Kepa — the world’s most expensive keeper at £71.6million.
      Lampard signed Edouard Mendy as a replacement but the Senegalese has been frozen out of late. He too is having contract issues.
      Now Mendy has recovered from what seemed the longest finger injury in history, will he regain his place with Lampard in charge?
      Aubameyang has offered little hope this seasonCredit: Getty
      STRIKERS
      You don’t need a Uefa A coaching licence to see Chelsea have struggled to find the net.  They create bags of chances but there is no one to tuck the ball away on instinct.
      Veteran Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, 33, might as well be selling programmes outside Stamford Bridge. He has played just 65 minutes of football this year.
      Potter persevered with Kai Havertz up front when the German even admits he is not a lead frontman.
      FORMATION
      With 32 players in the squad it is a big job fitting everyone in the dressing room let alone on a pitch. Lampard prefers a back three with wing backs and he has two of the best in Reece James and Ben Chilwell.That, though, will condense the midfield with N’Golo Kante fit again, Enzo Fernandez and Mateo Kovacic all vying for midfield spots. Where Mount fits in remains a conundrum with Havertz, Sterling, Mudryk, Hakim Ziyech and Joao Felix all battling for three spaces.
      KEEPING THE SQUAD HAPPY
      No easy task with lots of established players and young hopefuls who want to show what they can do.
      Reports of players changing in corridors because the squad is so bloated will not help morale.
      WHAT TO PRIORITISE
      Chelsea languish in the bottom half of the table — in 11th spot. They are 14 points off the top four so  need to win the Champions League this season to qualify for it next campaign.
      With the budget on a knife edge having spent so much on players, Boehly either needs extra income or a big player sale to keep the Financial Fair Play wallahs at bay.
      That would suggest a s**t or bust attack on Europe and let the Prem ride — but every place in the table is worth in excess of a million quid.
      Read More on The Sun
      Good luck, Frank. More

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      How Chelsea could line up under Carlo Ancelotti with Real Madrid boss tipped for return 12 years after Blues axe

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      CARLO ANCELOTTI is being tipped for a shock return to Chelsea this summer.The Blues are searching for a new permanent head coach after sacking Graham Potter following a whirlwind seven-month spell.
      Carlo Ancelotti could depart Real Madrid in the summerCredit: EPA
      Marco Asensio is set to become a free agent at the end of the seasonCredit: Getty
      Club legend Frank Lampard has been put in charge of the side until the end of the season.
      But, unless he wins the Champions League, the former Chelsea midfielder is expected to be replaced before the 2023/24 campaign gets underway.
      The likes of Julian Nagelsmann and Luis Enrique have been mooted as possible candidates.
      But Real Madrid boss Ancelotti is now being touted for the role – 12 years after he departed Stamford Bridge.
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      How Chelsea could line up under Ancelotti
      The Italian, 63, could leave the Spanish champions in the coming months as they sit 12 points behind Barcelona in LaLiga.
      They do face Chelsea in the Champions League quarter-finals, with anything but a 15th European triumph set to seal Ancelotti’s exit.
      He has been linked with the vacant Brazil national team job.
      However, Chelsea may look to entice him with a lucrative offer.
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      And Ancelotti could bring a couple of players back with him.
      Marco Asensio and Dani Ceballos are both out of contract at the end of the season.
      As they are set to depart Real, continuing with the four-time Champions League-winning manager could prove an attractive proposition.
      Chelsea may also wish to make Atletico Madrid loanee Joao Felix’s move a permanent one as they desperately search for a focal point to their attack.
      Ancelotti won the double with the Blues in 2010, but left the following season after a trophyless campaign in which they finished second in the Premier League behind Manchester United.
      Dani Ceballos’ Real Madrid contract is also up in the summerCredit: Reuters More