Sports
Jude Bellingham Crowned Bundesliga Player Of The Year
Jude Bellingham, the talented teenage midfielder of Dortmund, has been named the Bundesliga player of the season.
This accolade comes just two days after the disappointment of witnessing his team lose the German title in their final match against their top rival, Bayern Munich.
Despite trailing behind, Dortmund managed to secure a point by playing a 2-2 draw against Mainz.
The 19-year-old English international received the highest number of votes in a ‘Team of the Season’ poll. However, he was unable to participate in the last match of the season due to a late knee injury.
Throughout the season, Bellingham featured in 31 out of 34 games, starting in 30 of them. He accumulated a remarkable total of 2,693 league minutes, more than any other player in the club, and showcased his skills by scoring eight goals and providing four assists.
He was quoted as saying on the Bundesliga site “Every year or half year that I’ve played at the club, my responsibility in the team has increased.
“I came to the club as a talented lad, but I have added elements to my game that have taken it to the next level.”
“I have to continue to be everywhere on the pitch and try my best to contribute going forwards and backwards and try and control games, try to dominate the midfield.
“I want my teammates to see that I’m always doing everything I can to make sure we win. If we lose a game, I’m the worst person.”
Jude Bellingham, who joined Dortmund at the age of 17 from Birmingham City in the English Championship for a transfer fee of 29 million euros ($32 million), played a prominent role in England’s midfield during the previous year’s World Cup.
There have been strong speculations linking Bellingham with a potential move to Real Madrid or Manchester City in the upcoming summer transfer window.
In October, when Bellingham led his team out onto the field in Cologne, he became the youngest captain in a match since the Bundesliga began keeping records in 1995.
His coach, Edin Terzic, affectionately referred to Bellingham as “the oldest 19-year-old in the world,” acknowledging the maturity and skill that the young midfielder possesses.
Based on Bundesliga statistics, throughout the season, Bellingham displayed exceptional work rate and determination.
He covered a total distance of 322 kilometers, surpassing all his teammates, and emerged as the league leader in winning 482 duels.
Bellingham’s outstanding performances did not go unnoticed, as he was one of the four Dortmund players to be included in the team of the season which was made through a vote that involved fans, clubs, and experts.
The Bundesliga team of the season has been announced, featuring the standout performers from the league. The selected players are:
Goalkeeper:
Gregor Kobel – Borussia Dortmund
Defenders:
Jeremie Frimpong – Bayer Leverkusen
Matthijs de Ligt – Bayern Munich Nico
Schlotterbeck – Borussia Dortmund Alphonso
Davies – Bayern Munich
Midfielders:
Julian Brandt – Borussia Dortmund
Jude Bellingham – Borussia Dortmund
Jamal Musiala – Bayern Munich
Forwards:
Moussa Diaby – Bayer Leverkusen
Randal Kolo Muani – Eintracht Frankfurt
Niclas Fuellkrug – Werder Bremen
Sports
Chelsea Handed Injury Boost As Omari Kellyman Nears Return
Chelsea are set to receive a welcome boost with Omari Kellyman nearing a return to action after a frustrating start to his Stamford Bridge career.
The 19-year-old midfielder, who joined the Blues from Aston Villa in a £19 million summer transfer, has been sidelined with a serious hamstring injury since September.
Kellyman initially made an impression with Chelsea’s Under-21s, scoring twice in three appearances, including during a 4-2 defeat to Leipzig in the Premier League International Cup. However, his progress was halted by the injury, which has kept him out of action for months.
READ MORE: Chelsea Desires Permanent Deal For João Félix After Collapse Of Omorodion Deal
According to reports from the Daily Mail, Kellyman is now on track to return within the next four weeks, offering Chelsea a much-needed boost as the team looks to navigate a congested festive fixture schedule. The teenager is expected to be fit before Christmas and could soon make his senior debut for the club.
Reflecting on his move to Chelsea earlier this year, Kellyman expressed his excitement about joining the West London outfit. “It is fantastic to be standing here as a Chelsea player. It’s a massive club with an amazing history, so it is great to join. It is a dream come true for sure. I’m buzzing to have put on the shirt and can’t wait to get started,” he said.
Kellyman’s footballing journey began at Derby County, where he progressed through the youth ranks and was promoted to the first-team squad by Wayne Rooney at just 16 years old.
After leaving Derby for Aston Villa in 2022, he signed his first professional contract and made his Premier League debut last season against Manchester City.
Despite his brief stint at Villa, which included a Europa Conference League appearance, Kellyman made the high-profile move to Chelsea in June, signing a six-year contract.
Now, as he edges closer to full fitness, both the player and the club will hope his long-awaited debut signals the start of a successful tenure at Stamford Bridge.
Sports
Chelsea Holds Scouting Summit With Enzo Maresca
Earlier this month, Chelsea Football Club convened a comprehensive meeting of their first-team recruitment team, aimed at aligning their efforts with the club’s overarching vision.
This scouting summit brought together approximately 30 of the club’s key talent identifiers, with the objective of reinvigorating the search for future stars in world football.
Adding an extra layer of inspiration to the gathering, Leicester City manager and former Manchester City assistant, Enzo Maresca, made a guest appearance. Maresca, who briefly worked alongside some of Chelsea’s current personnel during his time under Pep Guardiola, took time to pose for a group photograph with the team. Those present reportedly left the summit feeling “enthused, energised, and as motivated as ever” to uncover the next generation of footballing gems.
READ MORE: Osimhen Casts Doubts Over Touted Winter Move To Chelsea
The Italian tactician has maintained an interest in Chelsea’s squad and their emerging talents. A source close to Maresca suggested that he harbours a keen desire to see Cole Palmer, one of Chelsea’s brightest young signings, team up with Joao Felix, the Portuguese forward who enjoyed a brief but impactful loan spell at Stamford Bridge last season.
While Palmer continues to thrive at Chelsea following his summer move from Manchester City, Felix’s future remains uncertain, with speculation persisting about whether the Blues could revisit a permanent deal for the Atlético Madrid star.
Chelsea’s recruitment team will undoubtedly keep such possibilities in mind as they look to execute their shared vision, leveraging the energy from this summit to identify players capable of complementing the club’s long-term strategy. With Maresca’s words and presence leaving a lasting impression, the search for the world’s finest footballing gems continues in earnest.
Sports
Lukeba’s €90m Clause Attracts Real Madrid, PL Clubs
RB Leipzig defender Castello Lukeba has become a hot topic in the transfer market following details about his new contract.
According to transfer expert Fabrizio Romano, Lukeba’s release clause will come into effect in the summer of 2025, starting at around €90 million and varying from season to season.
This development has drawn the attention of football giants, with Real Madrid reportedly keeping a close watch on the French centre-back’s progress. Premier League clubs are also monitoring Lukeba as a potential defensive reinforcement for 2025.
READ MORE: Wizkid Breaks Spotify Records With ‘Kese (Dance)’ Release
The 20-year-old, who joined Leipzig from Olympique Lyonnais in 2023, has already made an impression in the Bundesliga with his composed defensive skills and tactical versatility. His rising profile has placed him among Europe’s most promising young defenders, making him a coveted target for top clubs.
Leipzig’s decision to include a fluctuating release clause highlights their commitment to protecting Lukeba’s value while leaving the door open for a future big-money move.
With Real Madrid and several Premier League sides in the mix, the 2025 summer transfer window is already shaping up to be a pivotal moment in Lukeba’s career. Fans and scouts alike will be closely watching his development as he continues to shine in Leipzig’s backline.