I don't know about anyone else, but I haven't seen anyone really dismissing Madrid. Certainly not in the press. But I sure as hell see a whole bunch of people dismissing us. That's what I'm objecting to
Conversely, the Bellingham to Real news has only come from Real sources who're hastily backtracking. I doubt we would upset our season by publicly pressing the Bellingham button at this crucial point, & I very much doubt Dortmund would either, which begs the question, why would Real?
Two unexpected losses which all but ended their faint league title chances?
The semi-final against City tomorrow?
They want to plant how keen they are to land him in the media, as a first strike across our bows?
Regardless of their reasons, the announcement & hurried backtracking was certainly more than a bit odd.
Real are the biggest name in world football & are still seen by most as the pinnacle of any players' career. However City are doing it all now & have been for the last ten years in the toughest league in the world.
I get the glittering allure of Real because of their prestige & stellar squad, & why it's the club many players desire above all others, but not every decent player on the planet can fit into Real's 25 man squad.
City has it's own unique allure, & as older generations fade away, today's younger football fans are bothered about who's doing what now, not 30+ years ago before they were born.
In this respect City stand as much chance of getting Bellingham as Real do, UNLESS the reports are correct & the player has decided on Real.
IF this is the case, we'll move onto other targets as we've done in the past. There's no single player who can define City's future. We'll still be here challenging with or without Bellingham.
I really hope we get him, but if we don't, so be it. It's his loss... \0/