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      Jude Bellingham’s England call-up set to be blocked by Dortmund but FA hopeful stance will change

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      DORTMUND last night warned the FA they will block Jude Bellingham from linking up with the England team.Midfielder Bellingham, 17, was set to be selected in Gareth Southgate’s senior squad for the forthcoming World Cup qualifiers against San Marino, Albania and Poland.
      Jude Bellingham is still waiting to discover whether he can link-up with EnglandCredit: Getty
      Gareth Southgate desperately wants the 17-year-old Dortmund star in his squad for the upcoming World Cup qualifiersCredit: PA
      The England camp were on Monday assured by officials at Dortmund that they would be okay to pick Bellingham.
      They believed he would not have to quarantine for 14 days when returning to Germany after the three matches.
      But after speaking to their local health officials, Dortmund have altered their stance.
      And they insisted they would not allow Bellingham to join up with the England squad or Gio Reyna with the United States.
      However, Southgate could still select Bellingham in the squad.
      The FA believe the situation is fluid and could change in their favour.
      In Germany, there is not an overall countrywide ruling over quarantine.
      Each region decides on its own health laws.
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      Southgate names his squad on Thursday for the qualifiers.
      Bellingham has 22 starts for Dortmund since his £30million move from Birmingham last summer.
      He made his senior Three Lions debut in November’s 3-0 friendly win over Ireland.
      ⚽ Read our Football live blog for the very latest news from around the grounds
      Borussia Dortmund players in tears laughing at Jude Bellingham’s awful singing for initiation to new club More

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      in Boxing

      Dillian Whyte cashes in on Alexander Povetkin bout as Gibraltar government commission £2 coin

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      DILLIAN WHYTE is already bang on the money for his Gi-brawl-tar rematch with Alexander Povetkin.To commemorate the bout, the Gibraltar government has commissioned a £2 coin featuring the pair that was minted on Tuesday.
      The Gibraltar government have commissioned a £2 coin with Dillian Whyte and Alexander Povetkin minted on one sideCredit: Mark Robinson Matchroom Boxing
      The two heavyweights are the only boxers to feature on any sterling currencyCredit: Mark Robinson Matchroom Boxing
      Dillian Whyte’s former maths teacher Isaac Awuley attended at Tower MintCredit: Mark Robinson Matchroom Boxing
      The two heavyweights are the only boxers to feature on any sterling currency — and Jamaica-born Whyte is the first black person to receive the honour.
      Whyte was unable to leave his Portugal camp to attend the striking of the first coin.
      But his former head teacher and a handful of pupils from his old school, Lilian Baylis in South London, did attend at Tower Mint.
      Whyte, 32, lost the August clash against the Russian after a brutal fifth-round KO.
      But he demanded a rerun from promoter Eddie Hearn the second that he regained his consciousness.
      The bout has since been postponed three times as 41-year-old Povetkin, a former world and Olympic champion, recovered from Covid-19.
      Whyte is looking for revenge after being brutally KO’dCredit: Mark Robinson
      Dillian Whyte endured defeat when the pair first met in AugustCredit: Mark Robinson

      The pay-per-view clash was moved from Wembley to Gibraltar when travel restrictions between Portugal and the UK would have forced Whyte to quarantine for ten days in a designated hotel before the must-win clash.
      To boost Whyte’s camp, he has added Harold ‘The Shadow’ Knight to his training team.
      The American coach helped Lennox Lewis exact rematch revenge on Oliver McCall in 1997, and then Hasim Rahman in 2001 — as well as being in his corner during a string of world- title defences.
      Dillian Whyte says he’s going for the knockout and isn’t considering a loss against Alexander Povetkin More

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      in Soccer

      Liverpool’s £50m training ground is hated by players who wish they could quit ‘Windy Harbour’ for Melwood

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      JURGEN KLOPP and his Liverpool players have now got used to their new £50million training ground in Kirkby.It boasts three full-size pitches, two gyms, a full-size sports hall, pool, hydrotherapy and specialist rehabilitation suites.
      Liverpool players want to move away from their new £50million complex and back to the former Melwood training groundCredit: Getty
      A dining room has a balcony overlooking the pitches. There is even a beach volleyball area which the players joke is in tribute to the Brazilians Alisson, Fabinho and Roberto Firmino.
      But there is one problem with the new HQ — the players hate it. They would rather be at the famous old Melwood site. There is nothing wrong with the facilities. It is just windy. Really windy.
      Even worse than St George’s Park, where former England coach Fabio Capello used to moan about the blustery weather.
      The area is known as Windy Harbour and Sunday League players in Merseyside hate playing there.
      Yet the gales still failed to drown out the sound of arguing in Klopp’s office in January, when he was unhappy with the club’s transfer dealings.
      Klopp had a winning combo with Melwood and Anfield. In the last 13 games between the venues Liverpool won ten, drew two and lost one — to Atletico Madrid.
      In the 13 games so far between Kirkby and Anfield, Liverpool have won four, drawn two and lost seven.
      For the players there is no place like home. That was Melwood.

      THE departure of Chris Wilder from Sheffield United was not a great surprise.
      But the arrival of former Bournemouth manager Jason Tindall to help interim boss Paul Heckingbottom is a bit of a turn-up.
      Tindall, when Eddie Howe’s assistant at Bournemouth, met members of the Blades’ board during a pre-season trip to Marbella.
      They were impressed by Tindall’s coaching style and man-management — and in terms of personality, he is the opposite to the more placid Howe.
      Jason Tindall has taken up a role to help Paul Heckingbottom at Sheffield UnitedCredit: Getty
      THE Welsh national team is struggling, not only because boss Ryan Giggs will not be taking charge for the World Cup qualifiers.
      When the squad was released this week, the list stated Chris Gunter is on 90 caps. He is actually on 99 and their most-capped player.
      Also, Jonny Williams was down as playing for Charlton although he joined a new club in February… ironically, Cardiff.
      Chris Gunter is Wales’ most capped player with 99Credit: Action Images – Reuters

      EXPECT a massive number of French players to be arriving in the Premier League next season.
      All Ligue 1 teams, other than Paris Saint-Germain, are in financial crisis because of a collapsed TV deal and are making it known that most players are available to move.
      Those who have played regularly will not have problems getting work permits despite the new Brexit regulations.

      PREMIER LEAGUE clubs are allowed up to ten directors at matches — but it seems West Brom have already given up.
      Only two officials have been attending some of their away matches.
      ⚽ Read our Football live blog for the very latest news from around the grounds
      Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp rules himself out of Germany manager job to replace Joachim Low More

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      in Soccer

      Rui Patricio collision highlights why delayed offside rule must be changed, claims ex-ref Mark Halsey

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      MARK HALSEY has called for delayed offside flag guidelines to be changed — before a player is seriously injured.Rui Patricio’s head collision with Wolves team-mate Conor Coady in Monday’s 1-0 home loss to Liverpool came as a result of new Premier League rules  to enable VAR checks.
      Former prem ref Mark Halsey has called for the delayed offside flag rule to be scrappedCredit: Getty
      Wolves keeper Rui Patricio suffered a nasty blow to head on Monday after the assistant referee delayed raising his flag due to the new rulesCredit: Kevin Quigley-The Daily Mail
      Mo Salah was offside as he raced through to score, only for the flag to be raised once the ball found the net.
      The Portugal keeper, 33, followed concussion protocols yesterday but appeared to emerge unscathed, despite going off on a stretcher and needing oxygen after a 15-minute delay.
      Reds boss Jurgen Klopp said the use of the delayed offside flag “needs to be looked at” and former Premier League referee Halsey also demanded  a review.
      The SunSport refereeing expert said: “I have had major concerns with the protocol all season, it’s been an accident waiting to happen.
      “Rui Patricio was lucky because the incident looked very serious. If this protocol is not changed now I fear more serious injuries.
      “I remember other incidents when Ben Mee and Eric Bailly have suffered injuries  trying to recover to make a last-ditch challenge.
      “In those cases the flag did not go up but the  forward was later deemed to be offside.
      “Player safety is paramount and we need to learn from what happened to Patricio.”
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      Mark Halsey was speaking exclusively to Sun SportCredit: PA
      Assistant referees have been told to keep their flag down, even if they think there is an offside, until the passage of play is complete.
      Only once a goal is scored or the chance has gone will the assistant raise their flag.
      That is so if a goal is scored, VAR can review the offside call.
      But Halsey has a solution to try to cut out incidents such as Patricio’s.

      Halsey,  a Prem referee for 14 years from 1999, added: “I understand why the protocol was introduced because everyone in football doesn’t want goals to be ruled out for tight offsides.
      “My solution is any offside from the 18-yard line to the goal-line should result in the assistant referee  keeping their flag down.
      “In those cases there is a great chance of a goal.
      “If the offside takes place outside the penalty area up to the halfway line then the on-field officials should be making the call.
      “Back when I was an assistant referee, I was told to give the benefit of the doubt to the attacker but I’d always make the call.
      “That’s what we need to revert back to.”
      ⚽ Read our Football live blog for the very latest news from around the grounds
      Rui Patricio ‘conscious and aware’ after Wolves No1 needed oxygen in Liverpool clash following Conor Coady collision More

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      in Soccer

      England eye Jude Bellingham call-up for World Cup qualifiers despite Germany’s strict coronavirus rules

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      JUDE BELLINGHAM is set for an England call despite strict German travel restrictions.
      Gareth Southgate names his squad on Thursday for the World Cup qualifiers at the end of this month.

      England hope to call-up Jude Bellingham despite potential quarantine problemsCredit: Getty

      Gareth Southgate will name his squad for the World Cup qualifiers on ThursdayCredit: Rex

      At this stage, the FA are confident Bellingham will be able to feature and return without undergoing a 14-day quarantine.
      Bellingham, 17, has 22 starts for Dortmund since his £30million move from Birmingham last summer.
      He made his senior Three Lions debut in November’s 3-0 friendly win over Ireland.
      And he is still wanted in Southgate’s set-up.

      All UK arrivals in Germany face a two-week quarantine but the FA believe Dortmund players will be let off by their local health authority if they are tested regularly.
      Dortmund winger Jadon Sancho looks set to miss out due to an injury.
      Under-21s boss Aidy Boothroyd, who named his squad yesterday, explained Bellingham’s omission.
      He said: “There are no problems at all with Jude.

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      “Gareth will name his squad later on and you’ll be able to get a lot more info than I can give you.
      “Jude will not be with us but very likely he and Reece James will be with Gareth, I’d imagine.”
      England host San Marino a week on Thursday then head to Albania before a home clash with Poland.
      ⚽ Read our Football live blog for the very latest news from around the grounds

      Jude Bellingham trains with England squad for the first time More

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      in Soccer

      Aubameyang skipped Arsenal warm-down but will not lose captaincy after being dropped by hard-line Arteta

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      NO-ONE could say that Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang did not know what was coming because Mikel Arteta had laid down the law on his first day as Arsenal manager.
      Captain Aubameyang, 31, was shocked and angry when he was told that he was not playing in Sunday’s North London derby after arriving late at the Emirates.

      Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang cut a lonely figure on the bench on SundayCredit: News Group Newspapers Ltd

      But it was not the first time the striker’s poor timekeeping had been an issue.
      And Arteta was not going to let it pass despite the massive consequences it could have had if Arsenal had lost to Tottenham.
      On the very day he was appointed as Unai Emery’s successor, manager Arteta, 38, spelled out exactly what he expected from his players.
      He warned: “I want to get everyone at the club to accept a different way of thinking because if you don’t have the right culture in difficult moments the tree is going to shake.

      “My job is to convince everyone that this is how we are going to live from now on. And if you are going to be a part of this, it has to be on these terms and in this way.”
      And to be fair to Arteta, he has been as good as his word ever since.
      Mesut Ozil was bombed out not because of his support for the Uighur Muslims or for refusing to take a pay-cut with the rest of the squad.
      He went because his attitude and commitment around the training ground was not good enough.

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      And when Matteo Guendouzi refused to back down after being called out for grabbing Brighton’s Neal Maupay by the throat last season, he was also shown the door.
      Arteta remembered from his time as an Arsenal player how Arsene Wenger had allowed certain stars to pretty much do what they wanted.
      And he had noted how much resentment that caused among the younger players who believed that there was one rule for them and another for the big-name signings.
      He was determined that would not be the case under his watch and has refused to make any exceptions when it comes to players breaking his strict code of conduct.
      Arteta could easily have kept Aubameyang’s lack of discipline under wraps.
      The fuming Gabon striker did not even take part in the post-match warm-down with the other unused subs and left the Emirates soon after Arsenal’s 2-1 victory.
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      Matteo Guendouzi has previously felt Mikel Arteta’s strong approach to disciplineCredit: Reuters
      He will not be stripped of the captaincy as Arteta considers the incident dealt with although he wanted it out there Auba had crossed the line just weeks after he had been “reminded of his responsibilities” for getting a new tattoo during lockdown.
      It is rumoured the striker had already been fined when he was unable to travel for one of Arsenal’s Europa League games because he turned up late for a Covid test.
      Brazilian Willian, 32, was also subjected to disciplinary action from the club after taking an unauthorised trip to Dubai during last November’s international break.
      But when Willian was selected for the team’s next game at Leeds, one disgruntled player declared during a team meeting that not everyone was being treated the same way.
      That is a charge which Arteta utterly refutes and he repeatedly talks about the “non-negotiables” which apply to every player.
      The fact Arteta is the youngest manager in the Premier League has made him even more aware of the need to distance himself from the players.

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      His no-nonsense stance has been largely approved in the Gunners dressing-room and boardroom and by the majority of supporters.
      And if his refusal to compromise proves to be even half as successful as it was at Manchester City then no-one will be complaining.
      As he explained at his Emirates unveiling: “What I most learned from Pep Guardiola is you have to be completely ruthless and work every day to create a winning mentality.”
      Aubameyang will do well to remember that the next time he is running late.
      ⚽ Read our Football live blog for the very latest news from around the grounds

      Arteta responds to Aubameyang being dropped for reporting late for the North London derby More

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      in Soccer

      Man Utd whizkid Mason Greenwood urged to create ‘better memories’ for England at U21 Euros following Iceland shame

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      MASON GREENWOOD has been urged to leave his Iceland shame in the past and create ‘better memories’ for his country.
      The Manchester United forward was called up to the England Under-21s squad for next week’s Euros group stage.

      Aidy Boothroyd has backed Mason Greenwood to shine for England U21s this summerCredit: Reuters

      It is the first time the 19-year-old has been picked for his nation at any level since being sent home in disgrace from Gareth Southgate’s seniors in September.
      That was after he and Phil Foden were caught breaking coronavirus guidelines by inviting two women back to their hotel room while on international duty in Reykjavik.
      Under-21 boss Aidy Boothroyd said: “We all make mistakes, especially when you’re a young person.
      “Gareth dealt with the situation, along with Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, at that time. Gareth has spoken to him a couple of times since.

      “What’s done is done. We move on and create some better memories of time with England.”

      What’s done is done. We move on and create some better memories of time with England
      Aidy Boothroyd on Mason Greenwood

      While Foden has fought his way back into Southgate’s thoughts after a terrific season with table-topping Manchester City, Greenwood has struggled for form this term.
      He managed just four goals in his 37 appearances since the Iceland game — but it has not affected how highly the England hierarchy rate him.
      Boothroyd agreed it was right that the Bradford lad be left out of all international squads in October and November and remain with United.

      He said: “It was right to stay where he was. That period of time has done him the world of good.”
      It is hoped Greenwood can reintegrate in a similar manner to Callum Hudson-Odoi, who dropped back from the seniors last year and has also been included in Boothroyd’s 23-man squad.
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      Greenwood and pal Phil Foden were sent home from England senior duty in disgrace in SeptemberCredit: PA
      He added: “It’s all part of sport and life. You get an opportunity, you take it, things don’t work out, you come back down.
      “You’ve got to get back on your bike and go again.
      “Callum’s certainly done that and we’re expecting Mason to do that. We just felt that Mason is going to be a key player in the future and we wanted to get him into this tournament, get some games into him and know what it’s like to be at a tournament.”
      Boothroyd also handed first call-ups to Arsenal’s Emile Smith Rowe, Cheltenham loanee keeper Josh Griffiths and PSV’s Noni Madueke.

      We just felt that Mason is going to be a key player in the future and we wanted to get him into this tournament
      Aidy Boothroyd

      Madueke, who turned 19 last week, quit Tottenham in 2018 to go to Holland and has hit eight goals in 25 games this season.
      Boothroyd is hoping the forward, who is also eligible for Nigeria, can make a similar impact to Foden at the last Euros.
      The ex-Watford chief said: “He’s a very talented young man and really excited to be called up.
      “A little bit like Phil last time, nobody had really heard of him until he came and played in the tournament.

      “We’re hoping Noni and all the players named in the squad can create even more positive attention.”
      The group stage of this year’s Euros, in Hungary and Slovenia, has been brought forward to this month.
      England face Switzerland in Koper on March 25, Portugal on March 28 in Ljubljana and Croatia back in Koper on March 31. The knockout stages are between May 31 to June 6.

      Mason Greenwood admits he wants to be Man Utd’s centre forward More

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      in Soccer

      Luke Shaw and John Stones’ sparkling form means Southgate MUST take them to Euro 2021 – both start in my England XI

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      LUKE SHAW has played just 60 minutes of football for England during Gareth Southgate’s four-and-a-half year reign.
      John Stones has featured in just one of his country’s last 15 matches since suffering a personal meltdown during the Nations League semi-final defeat by Holland in 2019.

      Yet the resurgence of both players, re-established as two of the best defenders in the Premier League, is a major boost to Southgate as he emerges from hibernation to name his first squad of the year on Thursday.
      It’s a funny old business being an international manager in the winter, especially during lockdown.
      Southgate is effectively furloughed between mid-November and late March, pottering around his house in North Yorkshire, walking the dogs, sorting out the recycling because it’s only two days until bin day.
      But between now and the end of next year he faces two major international tournaments, in charge of a team which sits fourth in Fifa’s world rankings, despite barely having utilised some of England’s brightest talents.

      The Euros are just 87 days away but first there are three qualifiers for next year’s Qatar World Cup, against San Marino, Albania and Poland.
      During these four-and-a-half months between fixtures, England’s manager waits nervously, hoping his players stay fit and play well, especially given the logjam of fixtures.
      But Southgate has been fortunate, with only Jordan Henderson suffering a long-term injury since November.
      Meanwhile Stones, 26, has overcome a lengthy crisis to consistently touch world-class standards, forming an outstanding partnership with Ruben Dias, whose arrival might easily have spelled the end of his Manchester City career.

      Luke Shaw has been a standout star for Manchester United this seasonCredit: Getty

      John Stones is also worthy of an England recallCredit: Andy Hooper-The Daily Mail
      Stones has rediscovered that ‘Barnsley Beckenbauer’ strut, striding out of defence, and has even scored more goals than Marcus Rashford since the turn of the year.
      Shaw, 25, has enjoyed a similar renaissance, convincingly seeing off the challenge of Brazilian Alex Telles as Manchester United’s left-back.
      He has been man of the match against City and West Ham on the last two Sundays and, despite having never been fully trusted by Southgate before, could now usurp Ben Chilwell as England’s first-choice this summer.
      The renaissance of Shaw and, in particular, of Stones, is not just excellent news for England’s defensive capabilities but for their offensive options too.
      With such a wealth of attacking talent, England have not been as much fun to watch as they ought to have been.
      The feeling in the Three Lions camp is Southgate has become wedded to a three-man central defence because of the old adage ‘if you ain’t got two good ones, pick three’.
      The midfield duo of Declan Rice and Henderson is already pencilled in for the summer’s biggest fixtures.
      So play five defenders and, with Harry Kane and Raheem Sterling nailed on to start, there would only be one place free in England’s line-up.
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      This means Southgate could start just one of Phil Foden, Jack Grealish and Mason Mount, without even mentioning Rashford, Jadon Sancho or the exciting Leicester duo of James Maddison and Harvey Barnes.
      Southgate, rightly, loves Mount. The public will demand Grealish and if England are good enough to overlook Foden, then they really haven’t shown it.
      Tyrone Mings, Conor Coady and Kyle Walker have put in decent shifts in a back three.
      But Stones and Maguire is now a central defensive pairing Southgate should feel comfortable fielding in a flat back four, even against the most elite opposition.
      This frees up another spot for an attacking player.
      And that gives us a possible starting XI of Pickford, Trippier, Stones, Maguire, Shaw, Rice, Henderson, Mount, Foden (or Grealish), Sterling and Kane.

      Gareth Southgate has a huge array of talent to manage at the EurosCredit: PA
      That looks a well-balanced team, boasting experience and youth, attacking creativity without a legs-open defence.
      If England top a Euros group including Croatia, Scotland and the Czech Republic, they would face the runners-up from a proper Group of Death which features France, Germany and Portugal, in Dublin in the last-16.
      Given that England have never beaten a team as good as those three in a knockout tie at any tournament away from Wembley, this would be a stiff ask.
      England were largely turgid during an eight-match autumn campaign, most memorable for indiscipline.
      Foden and Mason Greenwood were sent home from Iceland in disgrace while Maguire was arrested.
      Maguire, Walker and Reece James were all sent off and Sancho, Chilwell and Tammy Abraham guilty of silly lockdown breaches.

      England failed to score in two Nations League ties with Denmark and were too often stifled by caution, with Southgate frequently claiming they had been better than they actually were.
      With England’s Euros group matches to be played in front of crowds at Wembley, there will be added demand for Southgate to toss away the shackles.
      After a miserable year, this promises to be another English footballing summer of love to rival — perhaps even better — Russia in 2018.Southgate just needs to believe it. Stones and Shaw should help him.
      ⚽ Read our Football live blog for the very latest news from around the grounds

      England boss Gareth Southgate explains how he’ll deal with having so many talented No.10s More