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      N’Golo Kante has won virtually everything with Chelsea and France and is the greatest midfielder of his generation

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      YOU have to doubt whether N’Golo Kante even owns a trophy cabinet.The Chelsea midfield man, as humble and modest as he is gifted and energetic, would surely imagine that display cases are for show-offs.
      N’Golo Kante has won virtually every individual, club and country honour available, and is the supreme modern-day midfielderCredit: Getty
      Thomas Tuchel once tried to sign Kante for PSG and is reaping the benefits of the midfielder’s energy and drive as Chelsea won the Champions LeagueCredit: Getty
      Kante has pretty much won the lot now — a Champions League winner’s medal to add to a World Cup, Premier League titles with two different clubs, an FA Cup and a Europa League.
      Then there are the gongs he would feel even less likely to boast about: the individual honours.
      A Footballer of the Year award and the ‘Man of the Match’ trophy from Saturday’s final against Manchester City, to go with the two he  collected after both legs of the semi-final against Real Madrid.
      We assume he keeps them all in a bin bag in his attic.
      Kante, 30, is the greatest midfielder of his generation — yet despite all that mountain of bling, he remains somewhat under-appreciated.
      It was as if Pep Guardiola had forgotten about Kante when he sent out a Manchester City starting line-up without a holding midfielder here on Saturday night — and nobody did more than Kante to exploit Pep’s flawed plan.
      Had Kante possessed the huge personality of Roy Keane or Patrick Vieira, he would rank alongside those two titans in the popular consciousness.
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      But as former Chelsea title- winner Joe Cole stated on Saturday, Kante has redefined his position.
      Cole said: “He’s staggering. I’m shattered just watching him.
      “I played with Claude Makelele, who I thought was the best in that position, until I saw this kid. He is Makelele plus extras.”
      Makelele was the midfield anchorman jettisoned by Real Madrid as they built their Galactico era.
      While the Spanish giants stopped winning major honours without the Frenchman, Makelele became a key element in Jose Mourinho’s back-to-back title-winning sides which kicked off the Roman Abramovich era.
      For a while, Kante was wrongly presumed by Chelsea fans to be the heir of Makelele — a player who would sit deep, win it and give it, a master of blissful simplicity.
      Ben Chilwell, seen fending off Kyle Walker, says Chelsea team-mate N’Golo Kante is ‘like two or three players’Credit: Getty
      When Maurizio Sarri employed Jorginho in the anchor role and Kante further forward, he received dog’s abuse from The Shed.
      But Thomas Tuchel has returned to the Sarri template to win Chelsea their second European Cup.
      He recognises that Kante is far more than ‘just’ a Makelele. His energy levels are so extraordinary that they should no longer produce ‘heat maps’ for him. Kante’s heat map is the entire pitch.
      As Chelsea’s fans sang long and loud at the Estadio do Dragao on Saturday: “He’s here, he’s there, he’s every f***ing where, N’Golo, N’Golo.”
      Kante is a master tackler in an age where many old-timers will tell you  tackling is becoming a lost art, virtually outlawed.
      But he is far from just a destructive force and while his game is synonymous with extreme stamina, this is a multi-dimensional midfielder.
      His influence on Chelsea’s attacking play is often overlooked but his surging runs from midfield were a major reason for that semi-final victory over Real.
      For me he is, 100 per cent. He’s won everything there is to win and that’s not a coincidence because he is the best.Ben Chilwell
      Kante was adored by his team-mates at Leicester — where he was such a prominent figure in Claudio Ranieri’s 2016 title miracle — and the same applies at Chelsea.
      Elite footballers tend to be egotistical showmen but they appreciate the otherness of Kante.
      Chelsea left-back Ben Chilwell, a kid at Leicester when Kante was powering the Foxes to their title, was asked whether the Frenchman is the best midfielder in the world.
      Chilwell said: “For me he is, 100 per cent. He’s won everything there is to win and that’s not a coincidence because he is the best.
      “He’s like two or three players. He tackles, he’s good on the ball, he’s an unbelievable person. I don’t have enough good words to say about him.”
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      Kante is yet to lose a Premier League game under Tuchel and the Blues missed him when they stuttered at the end of the season.
      And when the rest of Chelsea’s players kissed Old Big Ears before the trophy presentation, Kante merely gave it a touch and a smile.
      A smacker would have been far too ostentatious — a bloody great trophy cabinet, too.
      ⚽ Read our Football live blog for the very latest news from around the grounds
      Chelsea star Jorginho forced to have beard shaved off after agreeing to bet earlier in season if he won Champions League More

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      Thomas Tuchel says new Chelsea contract ‘beginning of a dynasty’ as heroes arrive home with Champions League trophy

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      THOMAS TUCHEL says a new two-year deal will be just part of a ‘fantastic beginning’ at Chelsea.The Blues’ head coach held talks with Roman Abramovich hours after leaving celebrations to mark winning the Champions League.
      Chelsea are set to offer boss Thomas Tuchel a new contract after guiding the Blues to Champions League gloryCredit: Getty
      The West London side beat Manchester City 1-0 on Saturday night to win the European Cup for a second timeCredit: Getty
      But Tuchel wants to make sure the billionaire Russian owner matches his own ambitions to take the club to the highest level possible.
      Chelsea are set to announce the extension for Tuchel – who took over from sacked Frank Lampard in January – as a reward for the club’s second European title.
      Tuchel said: “If we really want to build something I’m all in, I can tell you. And I’m happy to talk about it and discuss it. If our beliefs match, we go from there.
      “We have to check with the owner if this is his plan, I think it’s possible.
      “I think I have a clause that makes my contract a bit longer if I win the League or the Champions League.
      “I’m not 100 per cent sure but my manager said it weeks ago, I didn’t check. I said, ‘Let’s talk when it’s the case’.
      “Even if we have a longer contract, there are no doubts I want to stay and it’s not the most important thing.
      “I’m very happy to be here, it’s a fantastic beginning and we go now for the next one.”
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      Chelsea outclassed the Citizens in Portugal with Kai Havertz scoring the only goal of the gameCredit: Getty
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      Tuchel’s current 18-month deal expires at the end of next season.
      But his rapid transformation of the Blues from mid-table in the Prem into European champions has blown away Abramovich.
      The Chelsea squad flew back to the UK on Sunday afternoon after partying in Porto until 8.30am, following their 1-0 win over Premier League champions Manchester City.
      But Covid restrictions mean there can be no open-top bus parade in West London.
      Winning his first Champions League title will not trigger a transfer spree for Tuchel though.
      He said: “Two or three could be very good, but we don’t need another seven and another complete turnover.
      “We have some ideas, of course.”
      Chelsea have been interested in a reunion with their former striker Romelu Lukaku, now at Serie A champions Inter Milan.
      Chelsea could be handed a Champions League group of death in next season’s tournament

      Winning the top prize in club football though means even a move for superstar Erling Haaland at Tuchel’s old club Borussia Dortmund is no longer beyond them.
      One big move Tuchel definitely is planning is to bring his family to England as his wife and daughters stayed in Paris when he arrived in London in January.
      Tuchel said: “We will get a house in the middle of July and my family will come over in August and, of course, this is a huge part.”
      Chelsea players celebrate their Champions League win in the dressing room More

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      Pep Guardiola admits he needs a break as he heads to Barcelona and Man City stars arrive home after painful Chelsea loss

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      PEP GUARDIOLA admits he is ready for a break as he heads back to see his family in Barcelona this week.It has been a lengthy and demanding season for his Manchester City side -chasing the Quadruple for so long meant he has not seen some of his nearest and dearest since November.
      Etihad boss Pep Guardiola will take time off to recharge before trying to build on this season’s Prem gloryCredit: Eamonn and James Clarke
      Man City midfielder Kevin De Bruyne arrives back with the black eye that finished his Champions League final earlyCredit: Eamonn and James Clarke
      The next couple of weeks will be a time for him to switch off, enjoy some overdue sunshine and recharge.
      But he will not feel sorry for himself  for very long, as he sits on the beach.
      Very quickly his thoughts will start to turn to next season.
      He  is set to come back to England in early July to get ready to do it all  over again.
      Despite the rumours, he always planned to return — even if they had won the Champions League final against Chelsea in Porto on Saturday.
      Pep remains convinced there is more to do with City and this group of players and he has vowed to turn them into the best club in the world.
      After an outstanding campaign ended on a disappointing note in Portugal, he said: “I want to  go home  and be with  my family.
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      “It’s been a long time since I’ve seen them.
      “After that I’ll come back to the club. It’s going to be the best club in the world for the next few years.
      “I want to congratulate my players on an exceptional season and on the game they played on  Saturday.”
      Once again they came up just short in Europe — even though it was agonisingly close this time.
      And the planning has already begun over how they can finally bring the biggest  trophy of all to the Etihad.
      Guardiola has already said there will be changes before next season starts.
      There are a few positions of concern — with left-back still causing a headache despite the efforts of Oleks Zinchenko and Joao Cancelo  to fill in.
      Kyle Walker looks grim-faced as he returns home with Man CityCredit: Eamonn and James Clarke
      Even Raheem Sterling’s future could be in the spotlightCredit: Zenpix
      It would be absolutely no surprise if Benjamin Mendy’s bitterly disappointing four-year stay at City is finally brought  to an end.
      Eric Garcia’s time at City is done and he returns to Barcelona — but fellow centre-backs Aymeric Laporte and Nathan Ake may also want a chat about their futures after falling down the pecking order  this season.
      Guardiola’s surprising decision to  dispense with the holding midfielder on Saturday night makes you wonder if he is happy with his options.
      Fernandinho, 36,  is set to sign a new  12-month deal to stay — but surely cannot go on forever.  
      Rodri has not played in the biggest games in recent weeks while Guardiola has made no secret of his admiration of Jack Grealish in the past and would love to have him in his squad.
      However the cost involved means he would almost certainly have to sell one of his big names if he is to make a move for the England star.
      That puts Raheem Sterling and Riyad Mahrez in the firing line and, in what promises to be a difficult summer, will the right offers come in?
      The priority, of course, will be a new forward — with Harry Kane right at the top of the list.
      Oleksandr Zinchenko and wife Vlada Shcheglova arrive backCredit: Zenpix
      Defeat is still emotional for Kevin De Bruyne and Benjamin MendyCredit: Zenpix
      Spurs will want a huge sum though and even City with their resources have been hit by the effects of the Covid pandemic.
      It will not be an easy deal to do this summer and Kane may have to be pushy if it is to get done.
      Should he do that, both clubs might still need to be creative, with players offered in part-exchange with the England captain valued at over £100million.
      City’s director of football Txiki Begiristain will meet with fellow executives this week to discuss their  summer plans.
      Last year, they moved quickly — securing deals for Ferran Torres and Ake within days of the end of the season.
      This year they may need to be more patient.
      Perhaps we will look at the striker position because we have a legend like Sergio Aguero leaving.Man City Chief operating officer Omar Berrada
      The feeling is that this is not a squad that needs major surgery after winning a third title in four years.
      Chief operating officer Omar Berrada said last week: “We’re looking at areas where we can potentially improve the squad.
      “But if you look at the performance of the team and everything they have done this year, it’s not that there is significant investment that we need to make.
      “Perhaps we will look at the striker position because we have a legend like Sergio Aguero leaving.
      “When the season ends, we will sit down and look at what we want to do in the transfer window.”
      Yesterday, City’s squad broke for the summer — plans for them all to fly back to Manchester together for a party were quickly scrapped.
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      But chairman Khaldoon Al Mubarak will give his traditional end-of-season review this week and will reflect on another incredible year for this club.
      A third Premier League title in four years, a fourth straight Carabao Cup and a first-ever Champions League final.
      Most clubs in the world would have settled for that back in August.
      ⚽ Read our Football live blog for the very latest news from around the grounds
      Pep Guardiola gives his thoughts on Man City’s Champions League final loss More

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      Chelsea set to offer Thiago Silva, 36, new contract after Brazil veteran’s stellar first season at Stamford Bridge

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      CHELSEA will offer Thiago Silva a new-one year deal after the 36-year-old’s superb first season at the club.Silva signed on a free last summer and made 34 appearances, including seven in a hectic May.
      Chelsea want to keep Thiago Silva after his amazing first season in English footballCredit: Getty
      Brazilian centre-back Thiago Silva has thanked Frank Lampard, who was sacked as Chelsea boss in January, for signing him last summerCredit: Reuters
      In 18 of the games where Silva started, the Blues kept a clean sheet.
      Despite turning 37 in September this year, the Brazil centre-back has impressed Stamford Bridge boss Thomas Tuchel and will be rewarded with a new contract.
      Silva had to go off in the 39th minute of the Champions League final win over Manchester City, due to a groin problem.
      After he hit out at former club Paris St-Germain, insisting he was always made the scapegoat for the club’s Euro failures.
      Silva spent eight seasons with super-rich PSG, who have never won the Champions League despite a huge investment on plays.
      And his last game for the club – where he landed 23 winner’s medals, including seven successive titles – was in the 1-0 Champions League Final defeat by Bayern Munich in August.
      Speaking of what it meant to get his hands on the trophy, Silva said: “It’s incredible and special for me – the most important moment of my career – especially considering the pressure we had in Paris to win it.
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      “Whenever Paris was eliminated, people wanted to find a culprit and it was me all the time. It’s too bad.”
      Silva also paid tribute to ex-Chelsea boss Frank Lampard, who lured him on a free to Stamford Bridge.
      Lampard led Chelsea through the group stages before being replaced by Tuchel.
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      “It was special, it was my first year here,” he added.
      “Tuchel changed everything, the team mentality. But it’s also important to talk about Lampard.
      “Without him, it was difficult for me to win here, thanks to him for letting me sign here.”
      ⚽ Read our Football live blog for the very latest news from around the grounds
      Chelsea star Jorginho forced to have beard shaved off after agreeing to bet earlier in season if he won Champions League More

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      Reece James’ Champions League final masterclass for Chelsea adds to Southgate’s England right-back headache for Euros

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      FOR Gareth Southgate, there could be such a thing as having too much choice at right-back.Just as the England boss looked like whittling it down to a straight shootout between Premier League winner Kyle Walker and La Liga champion Kieran Trippier, Reece James performs out of his skin on the biggest club stage of all.
      Reece James’ superb Champions League final display has underlined Gareth Southgate’s wealth of options at right-back for EnglandCredit: Getty
      Liverpool’s Trent Alexander-Arnold will hope he is still in contention for Euro 2020 but his situation is unclear after a difficult seasonCredit: Getty
      Where this leaves Liverpool ace Trent Alexander-Arnold is anybody’s guess.
      But James was immense in Chelsea’s Porto fairytale — along with England pals Ben Chilwell and Mason Mount.
      He could arrive at the England camp this week with Raheem ­Sterling still in his pocket. James made seven tackles in the game — FOUR more than any other player — and also produced the most clearances with five.
      He epitomised the body-on-the-line approach of Thomas Tuchel’s side, whose plan to be “a stone in City’s shoe” worked a treat.
      Southgate seems to have doubts over Alexander-Arnold’s defensive capabilities and you can see why he may turn to James.
      Like so many of his team-mates, 21-year-old  James’ game has  progressed under Tuchel, who initially benched him in favour of Callum Hudson-Odoi when he first took over.
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      Asked of Tuchel’s qualities, James summed up how the German  turned the Blues from a season of collapse to champions of Europe.
      The right-back said: “He’s  honest. He believes in us and that we can win many titles together.”
      Southgate’s dilemma is slightly less painful on the left, with Chelsea’s  Chilwell battling Luke Shaw.
      Shaw has had his best season yet in a Manchester United shirt but Chilwell has been scintillating in the last few months.
      He was excellent in  Saturday’s 1-0 Champions League final win over City, keeping former Leicester colleague Riyad Mahrez at bay — and not far behind James in the statistics.
      Surely Chilwell’s  Estadio Do Dragao display will have firmed up his spot v Croatia in England’s Euros Group D opener on June 13.
      Kieran Trippier is firmly in the England picture after helping Atletico Madrid to the LaLiga crownCredit: Getty
      Man City’s Kyle Walker offers England pace and versatilityCredit: Getty
      After Chelsea’s heroic defending landed  their second Champions League title, Chilwell said: “We knew their strengths going forward. We defended for our lives.
      “We’re all tired but when the Champions League’s up for grabs, it doesn’t really matter.”
      One man who looks certain to be in Southgate’s line-up is Mount.
      The Blues playmaker, 22, teed up Kai Havertz’s 42nd-minute winner with a perfect pass from deep.
      Mount consoled England pal Phil Foden, 21, at the final whistle as the City star lay on the turf.
      Mount said: “I said they deserve to be here because of what they have done this season.”
      Mount also paid tribute to his family, adding: “I dreamt of this as a kid.
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      “My dad came down from the stands and I burst into tears.  It is a  long journey to get here so for my  family I thank them.
      “They gave me everything and I am reaping the rewards.”
      England could  be reaping rewards this summer if Southgate goes with Chelsea’s terrific trio.
      ⚽ Read our Football live blog for the very latest news from around the grounds
      Chelsea star Jorginho forced to have beard shaved off after agreeing to bet earlier in season if he won Champions League More

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      Liverpool reject Ozan Kabak demands huge £80k-a-week deal to return to Premier League after Reds snub permanent transfer

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      LIVERPOOL reject Ozan Kabak is after a stunning £80,000-a-week contract to come back to the Premier League.The on-loan Turkish centre-back has seen a full-time move to the Kop called off, so is now looking for another club in England.
      Ozan Kabak would cost any Prem takers heavy wages and a hefty feeCredit: AFP
      Liverpool centre-backs Virgil van Dijk, centre, and Joe Gomez, left hope to finally be fully fit to return next seasonCredit: PA
      But his pay demands and the fee German club Schalke are asking for are making Kabak unattractive to many potential suitors.
      Kabak, 21, initially went straight into Jurgen Klopp’s injury-ravaged defence after being borrowed in February.
      But Liverpool have ducked out of a permanent £18million deal with Schalke
      It’s thought Klopp believes the former Stuttgart ace would not regain a regular place next season.
      Now it is even possible Kabak could stay in Germany, although Schalke have just been relegated.
      Meanwhile, Kabak’s temporary team-mate Nat Phillips could also be on the move within the Prem.
      The former Bolton youngster, 24, played far more often this term than anticipated.
      Now Burnley, as well as Newcastle, are thought to be monitoring his situation. 
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      Liverpool’s main injury victims Virgil van Dijk, Joe Gomez and Joel Matip hope to return early next season.
      So Phillips faces sliding down the pecking order again.
      But Liverpool are tipped to offer Spanish keeper Adrian a new deal, albeit on less cash.
      ⚽ Read our Football live blog for the very latest news from around the grounds
      Alberto Moreno screams ‘Man Utd get out, You’ll Never Walk Alone’ as ex-Liverpool man mocks rivals after Europa League More

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      Ex-Man City chief Garry Cook behind new American takeover bid to rescue Wayne Rooney’s Derby

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      DEAL broker Garry Cook is the man behind an American takeover bid at Derby.The former Manchester City supremo, behind some major takeovers in the past, has found American financiers who want to rescue the Rams.
      Cook (right) worked for Man City between 2008 and 2011Credit: Getty
      Cook is in talks with owner Mel Morris and also wading through the Championship club’s financial problems.
      Morris has debts to pay to the tax man, former players and staff on top of the £17.5million owed to MSD Holdings.
      Cook’s team have to sort out those problems in advance and show they have funds to keep the EFL happy.
      The Rams face points penalties for FFP breaches but a new owner may help an appeal.
      Brighton lead the race for Derby midfielder Jason Knight, 20 who is thought to be highly-sought after in the current transfer window.
      Fellow Rams midfielder Sibley could also be on his way out of Pride Park this summer as the club attempt to address the financial difficulties.
      Earlier this month it was revealed Salford City boss Gary Bowyer had decided against a return to Derby.
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      Rooney has been forced to manage Derby through a turbulent periodCredit: Alamy
      The League Two team confirmed Bowyer is staying at Moor Lane, just days after he claimed he was rejoining Derby as U23s boss.
      Meanwhile, former England striker Wayne Rooney remains Derby manager heading into a crucial summer at the club.
      The ex-Manchester United man’s side narrowly avoided relegation down to the third tier on the final day of the season in a dramatic finale.
      ⚽ Read our Football live blog for the very latest news from around the grounds
      Inside Wayne and Coleen Rooney’s jaw-dropping £5k-a-week ‘caravan park’ holiday to Wales More

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      Southgate says Bellingham adds know-how to England… although he’s so young boss must ask PERMISSION to talk to him

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      JUDE BELLINGHAM is still so young, Gareth Southgate has to ask the midfielder’s dad for permission to speak to him.But Southgate believes Borussia Dortmund’s teenage sensation  — and fellow English ‘exiles’ Jadon Sancho and Kieran Trippier — can bring extra know-how to England’s bid for Euro 2020 glory.
      Southgate is expected to take Bellingham to the European ChampionshipsCredit: Getty
      Bellingham and Sancho have both been included in the 33-man provisional squadCredit: Getty
      Bellingham will not turn 18 until midway through the tournament but is set to make the cut when the Three Lions manager trims his squad down to 26 on Tuesday.
      Southgate said: “We have to make sure we look after all the players but I have to talk to his dad to talk to Jude, on a child protection basis.
      “That is still the process, yet he is a first-team player who is playing at a massive club in Europe.
      “It is a reminder of how young he is. He deals with things really maturely but we must never take that for granted.
      “We have always got to bear in mind his age in terms of how we look after him. If he is in the squad, it’s a long time away from home.
      “He is a very mature boy but at times you forget how young he is.”
      Despite his youth, Bellingham has something most of the squad do not — experience of playing at a high level in another country.
      Every member of the England party that reached the semi-finals of the 2018 World Cup played in the Premier League.
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      How England’s path to Euros glory could look
      This time Bellingham, Dortmund team-mate and winger Sancho and defender Trippier — fresh from LaLiga triumph with Atletico Madrid — could add an extra ingredient.
      Southgate said: “I remember signing Robert Huth when he was really young at Middlesbrough and his worldly-wiseness… he was so mature compared to the boys who had come through the academy.
      “They had never left Middlesbrough, whereas he had to move countries, learn a new language, learn a new culture, learn a new football culture.
      “So what Jude and Jadon have experienced at a young age is having to adapt, learning a different style of play, playing in a different league — it is brilliant life experiences, really.”
      Trippier, 30, has broadened his education since swapping Mauricio Pochettino’s Tottenham for Diego Simeone’s Atleti in 2019.
      Southgate said: “Kieran, if you speak to him, to work with a coach of that level every day . . . it’s a totally different type of focus. He worked with an attacking-minded coach and now he’s working with a coach who’s helped his defending and his positioning enormously.
      “He has now won the title in Spain, lived abroad — fantastic life experiences.”
      England’s three amigos — or one amigo and two freunden — can feed what they have learned playing overseas into the squad this summer.
      Southgate added: “Even beyond the football, I think it’s brilliant for young men to go through anyway.
      Bellingham already has two England caps to his nameCredit: PA
      “But from a football perspective, there’s tactical awareness, awareness of the differences and maybe taking a bit of the fear out of the unknown.
      “They can talk to the others about players who are playing in different leagues.
      “They can say, hang on a minute, we’ve got players here who are just as good so don’t be worried about that. I think all of those things can help.”
      Listening to Southgate talk about Sancho, it sounds as though his place in the final squad is less secure than Bellingham’s.
      Sancho, 21, was the first of the next generation of young England stars to be given his chance after the World Cup.
      His statistics since the turn of the year are impressive but Southgate said: “He had some bright early performances for us and there’s a challenge now to back that up.
      “Jadon finished the season reasonably well with Dortmund in terms of goals and assists, but they don’t tell the full story of all of the performances.
      “He’s an exciting talent, there’s no doubt about that, and he’s one of a few we’ve got who has the opportunity to go and impress.”
      Meanwhile Bellingham seems certain to get a good news call from Southgate this week — but only after his dad Mark.
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