Thomas Tuchel
February 2026
Tuchel says Bellingham is pushing to be fit for March, but England may be forced to decide late given reports his hamstring issue could keep him out for longer than first expected. Tuchel says Real Madrid are more cautious on timelines, England are in contact, and he is optimistic but not sure. The implication is he might have to select without full proof of fitness.
Jude Bellingham
January 2026
A former United defender says the club should try again for Bellingham to signal ambition and rebuild toward title contention.
United previously courted him heavily as a teenager, including Carrington visits and presentations from club icons, but he chose Dortmund. With Bellingham now facing criticism for inconsistency at Madrid under Alonso and then Arbeloa, Wes Brown argues he can handle pressure and would elevate United, likening his responsibility-taking to Bruno Fernandes.
Alvaro Arbeloa
January 2026
Arbeloa says he told Bellingham to “stop running” in training, praising his work rate and leadership while urging him to manage output and conserve energy. Arbeloa frames Bellingham as a long-term cornerstone, highlighting his intensity 48 hours after a match and suggesting smarter energy management for longevity and performance balance.
Xabi Alonso
January 2026
A report says Liverpool have made a first approach to Alonso as they consider future managerial options, with Slot still in charge but under scrutiny during an inconsistent title defence. The claim is that Liverpool sounded out Alonso’s interest, with the coach currently available after leaving Real Madrid. Despite a short spell in Madrid, his reputation remains strong from his Leverkusen success, and the report suggests Liverpool view him as a near-future option, possibly for 2026-27.
Morgan Gibbs-White
January 2026
Collymore argues Gibbs-White should be in England’s World Cup plans despite stiff competition for attacking midfield spots, claiming he offers a different profile and proven Premier League output. Gibbs-White has six caps and has featured under Tuchel but was omitted from the latest squad and has not played in the last three matches. Collymore believes squad balance and Tuchel’s striker choices could squeeze midfield places, so Gibbs-White must be protected.
Real Madrid
January 2026
Madrid won 2-0 after a flat first half, with Mbappe scoring a second-half penalty and Asencio adding a headed goal from a corner to secure the points. Arbeloa changed the flow by introducing Arda Guler for more midfield invention, increasing tempo and chance creation. Mbappe won and converted a penalty, then Madrid capitalised on a set piece, managing the game despite a few Levante counters.
Jude Bellingham
January 2026
Bellingham angrily denied reports suggesting he did not support Alonso during his Real Madrid tenure. He posted directly to rebut “sources” and media narratives amid wider claims of dressing-room issues, including reported Alonso disputes with Mbappe and Florentino Perez.
Jude Bellingham
January 2026
Gordon Strachan defended Jude Bellingham and said both Xabi Alonso and Thomas Tuchel need to protect him amid ongoing criticism around his behaviour for England. The midfielder has become a focal point for scrutiny at international level. Strachan echoed Ian Wright’s stance that controversy is being manufactured around Bellingham, and argued leadership from club and country must shield him while keeping standards high. The message is that the noise should not be allowed to define him.
Kylian Mbappé
January 2026
Kylian Mbappé has been diagnosed with a left knee sprain and is expected to miss at least three weeks, hitting Real Madrid as they return from the winter break. He has been a near ever-present this season with 27 goals across La Liga and the Champions League.
How: Mbappé had been managing the issue for weeks but an MRI confirmed a ligament lesion requiring rest and treatment. Real Madrid confirmed the diagnosis and will monitor his progress, with the decision to stop now aimed at avoiding a more serious long-term problem.
