Overview
- Coach Niko Kovac said Bellingham is being built up gradually and progressing faster than expected, praising his physical presence and quality.
- Bellingham’s upturn includes a goal and assist at the Club World Cup, two Champions League assists in Copenhagen, a key role in a German Cup win at Eintracht Frankfurt and a late block at Augsburg.
- A Dortmund source told Bild the midfielder was in line to start against Manchester City, a prospect that remains unconfirmed by the club.
- Pep Guardiola said he had not known of Bellingham before his Dortmund move and gave his Manchester City squad a recovery day before training on the morning of the match.
- After Bellingham’s father confronted sporting director Sebastian Kehl in a tunnel incident, Dortmund reiterated restrictions on family and agents in team areas, with separate reports alleging temporary parental bans and player insecurity.