The mercurial midfielder has no obvious role in the manager's system, and the Spaniard faces a challenge working him into his XI
He's back.
Welcome, Jude Bellingham, how Real Madrid (sort of) missed you. The English midfielder was the fulcrum and savior of this team two years ago. Madrid really weren't very good as a unit. They didn't have a striker. Karim Benzema was gone. Bellingham was here as a false nine, and saved Los Blancos' season. It was a tasty narrative: new guy comes in, scores a load of goals, Madrid win a double.
And then things changed a bit. You probably could have seen it coming. The arrival of Kylian Mbappe shifted the harmony. Bellingham wasn't getting into the same areas. The balance was gone. Instead, the Englishman – once a Ballon d'Or candidate – became a pure runner who didn't always look like he wanted to run.
Under Xabi Alonso, it might have been awkward from day one. Bellingham didn't quite fit. He was in and out of games at the Club World Cup. The delayed shoulder surgery he underwent in July kind of felt merciful, all said. But now this pseudo-day of reckoning is here. Bellingham has recovered sooner than expected from his operation. And after failing to come off the bench midweek in the Champions League, it looks far more likely now that he will be worked into the side.
Alonso has made it clear that he has no problem benching the big names, but surely Bellingham is too crucial to fail? Perhaps not. Either way, he will simply have to be integrated. GOAL looks at the manager's options as he looks to bring Bellingham back into his side full of Galacticos…
GettyA glorious return
It's worth remembering, first, what Madrid are getting back here. Bellingham is an immense talent, and you could make a pretty strong argument that he is the best in his position in world football (with all due respect to the also-excellent Pedri.) He is a versatile presence, capable of playing multiple positions in midfield. Although best as a Steven Gerrard-like No.8, he can be used as a 10, false nine, and, in a pinch, coming off either wing in a four midfielder system (something he did to great effect at times under Carlo Ancelotti).
He is a goalscorer who is adept at making late runs into the box. He can tackle, pass, run and dribble. As an all rounder, there aren't any better. But, as he has shown at times, doing so consistently, for 90 minutes, can prove to be a bit of a problem.
Indeed, while he was excellent in his first year, Bellingham's levels dropped significantly in his second. Madrid were, quite simply, worse. And Bellingham was shifted around, asked to play in different roles. By the end of it all, the year felt like a bit of a lost cause. A sense of apathy crept into his game. It was perhaps best encapsulated by a Pedri goal in El Clasico in which Bellingham lost the ball and simply neglected to track his man back – only to watch him bash one into the top corner. Bellingham shurgged as it happened.
AdvertisementGettyGuler out, Bellingham in
But now, he's here. And Alonso will be hoping, no doubt, to get the best out of him. Perhaps the most obvious course of action for reintergration is a straight swap. Alonso has gone for a 4-3-3 so far, with Arda Guler as a creative No.10. It would be harsh on the young Turkey internaitonal, but if like-for-like replacements are what Alonso wants, then benching Guler and bringing Bellingham in works just fine.
That comes with a problem, though. While Mbappe has been Madrid's best goalscorer, Guler has been their best player this year so far. He has linked things wonderfully, and served as a vital creative presence as Los Blancos have pieced together an undefeated start. Benching him would mean removing their best attacking asset.
Getty Images SportBellingham in, Guler out wide
Perhaps a safer situation – one that gets all of the best players on the pitch – would be a little more tactical configuration. Alonso has lacked consistency at right wing to date, experimenting with Franco Mastantuono, Brahim Diaz and Rodrygo.
None of the trio has nailed down the spot in full. Guler is young and versatile enough to potentially make that spot his own. He might be less involved, but there are still spaces for him to create, find clever passes, and also provide a little bit of width when needed. If a clear understanding between him and Bellingham comes to fruition – with Mbappe through the middle – the results could be frightening.
But there is an issue here, too. This would certainly mean Guler's influence would wane. It could also negate the hard work of Mastantuono, Brahim, and Rodrygo. The balance would, undoubtedly, be shifted.
Getty Images SportThe big risk
And then, there are the more dangerous options. Want to get Guler in at his best position, use Bellingham as an 8, and rely on the trickery and hard work of someone else on the right? Why not bench Aurelien Tchouameni and go all-out attack? To be clear, it would be more obvious to rest Federico Valverde, but the Uruguayan captain is simply too important to the team. Every manager has found a way to work him in – regardless of system.
So, against those teams that will certainly sit in a bit, when Madrid need some more attacking answers, there is an argument to be made in which Valverde sits in Tchouameni's holding role, Bellingham gets forward, and Guler stays in as a 10. That would, in theory, be immense fun.
It would also be something verging on suicide. Valverde is a good No.6, but elite No.8. Madrid are already fairly vulnerable on the counter, and this would make them worse.