Sebastian Kehl explains why he has by no means written off Jude Bellingham’s stay at BVB – and why the youngster could not be replaced even with a lot of money.
Scorer against Gladbach on Saturday: Jude Bellingham.
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Like last year with Erling Haaland, Borussia Dortmund is facing a multi-million transfer poker game this summer, but with Jude Bellingham there are crucial variables. “If someone has an exit clause or only one club is in the running,” it’s a different situation, emphasized BVB sports director Sebastian Kehl on Sunday evening at “Sky90” with a view to Haaland. Neither applies to Bellingham.
“There were phases when I had the feeling that he wasn’t staying”
“There is no opt-out clause and he also has two years left on his contract. So he has value for us and that would have to be achieved,” Kehl said of the 19-year-old, whose future beyond the end of the season remains unclear . “There were phases when I had the feeling that he wasn’t staying. Then I had the feeling that he was definitely staying. The race around him will pick up speed again after the season.”
Kehl does not rule out staying or even extending the contract. “I don’t see us without a chance yet,” he emphasizes. “Because I also believe that if you become German champion this year and show that you are very ambitious in Germany and beat Bayern, that is also a sign.”
A deadline was not set for Bellingham, who according to Kehl is currently only involved in the championship race. “We know that Jude really wants this title. He’s incredibly focused, he stays out of all these things. Of course I’m in contact with his parents, who are also there regularly at the games.”
“Replacing that will not be possible for us either – even with a lot of money”
A deadline has still not been defined. “We exude a lot of calm when it comes to Bellingham. Of course I have to prepare for different scenarios. Losing him will hurt us sportily. If he should go, it will probably bring us as much money as we say in line with the market “It’s a scenario from which we’ve always found solutions in the past. That’s why we’re very relaxed at the moment,” said Kehl, who didn’t want to express the percentage chances of staying or talk about transfer fees.
“However, we also know that we would never replace Jude Bellingham one-for-one. He is in good shape, with the potential, an incredible player. It will not be possible for us to replace that either – even with a lot of money”, Kehl admits. “He knows what he wants and already knows what he can do. He has high demands on training, on his environment, on commitment, he also wants to be a benchmark there. He is super, super professional and works very hard on himself . A very mature player.”
2023-05-15 07:33:31
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