Alex Kirkland

His contract's up in June 2027.

He's getting closer and closer to entering the final year of his contract.

And there's this feeling that, as we've reported, he was one of the players...

who wasn't a fan of Xabi Alonso, that relationship wasn't there, he made his feelings known, and he played a big part in Xabi Alonso going, because the club knew that while Xabi Alonso stayed, there was no chance of that contract being renewed.

So all those things together, I think, have affected the relationship with the fans, but as always, you know, fans, I think, are just as fickle, and if he starts performing more often, like he did last night, if he's back to his best, I think he'll get at least the Real Madrid fans back onside.

Yeah, it was a brilliant celebration from Jude.

I don't know how to best describe that celebration, but basically imitating that he was having a few drinks, I think we can say.

And that's because there's been unfounded, a lot of rumours on social media in particular about the fact that he enjoys Madrid's nightlife.

And he came out afterwards and said, look, that's not the case.

You know, I'm a professional.

He said...

I'm not happy with the way that people can talk about these things with seeming impunity, but what can I do?

Either I can sort of moan and cry, or I can send them a lawyer, or I can try and have a laugh.

And he said that celebration was trying to have a laugh.

I mean, some fans have

taken it maybe not exactly the right way because Bellingham is another one who hasn't been performing in the last few months.

I think some fans feel like, well, should you really be sort of joking around with a celebration when really you haven't been performing for the team.

But it was a nice moment for Jude and he's another one who needed it.

He needed that because like I say, he hasn't been at his best or anything like his best for a while now.

So not as extreme a case as Vinicius, I don't think, but yeah, Bellingham needed that goal too and the celebration.