Jude Bellingham’s sensational start to life at Real Madrid has cooled off in his second season, as he adapts to new responsibilities within the team. The 21-year-old England international will face his former club Borussia Dortmund on Tuesday at the Santiago Bernabeu in a rematch of last season’s Champions League final, where Bellingham helped Real Madrid secure a record 15th European title.
Bellingham has been tasked with more defensive duties this season, particularly after the arrival of Kylian Mbappé, a shift from his offensive role last year, where he scored 10 goals in his first 10 games for the club. This tactical adjustment, orchestrated by coach Carlo Ancelotti, has seen Bellingham deployed in different midfield roles, including on the right in a 2-1 win over Celta Vigo.
Despite his crucial role, Bellingham has yet to score in nine appearances this season. His frustration was evident during the win against Celta when he clashed with teammate Vinicius Junior over a missed scoring opportunity. Ancelotti downplayed the incident, praising Bellingham’s character and reaffirming his importance to the team.
As Real Madrid faces a pivotal week with matches against Dortmund and La Liga leaders Barcelona, Bellingham remains key to their ambitions. Though his role has evolved, Ancelotti has emphasized that the young midfielder’s contributions, even without goals, are vital as Madrid continues to search for the right balance in a star-studded squad.
