Bellingham: keys to a historic emergence

The Englishman ‘did not come to the White House as a stranger, 103 million euros plus 30 variables are not paid every day for a football player – at this rate he will fulfill them all – but not for anyone. We could expect this at the beginning of his first season and when he is 20 years old. He scored 13 goals in 13 matches, providing one goal and 3 assists per game. First of all, because it is not a pure ‘9’.

There are a few keys that help explain its unquestionable success:

1 A plan that Ancelotti designed to suit himself

Carlo Ancelotti is largely responsible for Bellingham’s scoring superiority. The Italian turned the problem into a solution. The departure of Karim Benzema (31 goals last season) left the white team ‘orphaned’ from a striker. Neither Vinicius nor Rodrygo are naturals and Joselu’s loan move from Espanyol (17 goals last season) looked inadequate.

Bellingham had a very talented and skilful midfielder on their hands in ‘Carletto’, but he was not a pure ‘9’. It is difficult to adapt to his usual 4-3-3. The Italian remembered what happened to him with Roberto Baggio in Parma years ago. He did not want to change his system for a football player, no matter how good he was at that moment. And he was wrong. The same would not happen for Jude.

Ancelotti devised a 4-4-2, placing Bellingham at the top of the diamond. And there is a team revolving around him, as Thierry Henry explains so well: “Three midfielders give him balance from the back, while the forwards in front of him run and create space.” And it works.

2 Pass less to score more goals

To get an idea of ​​the ‘innovation’ that Bellingham’s scoring ability brought to Real Madrid, it is enough to examine the Englishman’s goal records from last season. Jude scored 14 goals in 42 matches in the entire 2022/2023 season for Borussia Dortmund. Just one more of those who are now considered a target.

The same thing happened in previous seasons in Germany. 6 goals in 44 matches on 21/22; and 20/21, 4 in 46 innings. Dortmund signed him from Brimingham and he scored just 4 goals in 44 appearances in the 2019/2020 season.

So, (last season) he went from averaging a goal every three games to averaging a goal per game. His ‘killer’ instinct increased, but in return he probably handed out fewer assists. In his first match with Real Madrid, he scored three goals (two to Vinicius and one to Joselu).

He scored 7 goals last season. He didn’t have many assists, but for example, he had 14 assists two years ago, which is his record so far. A transformation adapted to Real Madrid’s needs.

3 A football player who is extremely confident in his possibilities

As a Real Madrid fan, his first words were “I’m a normal kid.” And it is true to some extent. Jude tries to live a trouble-free life by always following the advice of his mother Denise. Of African descent, he came to England and met former sergeant Mark, who imparted a sense of discipline to his son. But the one who keeps her feet on the ground and is always by her side is her mother.

Bellingham is a familiar man and, in his own words, even “boring.” Something shy, albeit less and less so. But if there is any trait that characterizes him, it is his confidence in his own possibilities; This has led him to always want to improve himself and to accept the challenge of signing for Real Madrid, even knowing that if he performs poorly he could be hunted down. due to the high cost of transfer.

Celebrating goals with arms raised can lead to thoughts of arrogance and even remind us of Cristiano Ronaldo. But apparently that’s not the case. It came about “naturally” to coincide with Charlton’s visit to Birmingham in 2019 and has remained so until now.

4 The arrival of recognition and the future with Mbappé

Jude Bellingham is not thrilled for now, even Barcelona fans were pleased with his ‘good vibes’ with Gavi in ​​the classic or the fact that he did not imitate any of his team-mates despite being the undisputed hero of the duo.

But we’ll have to see how he absorbs everything that comes to him so suddenly, because it’s never easy. He collected the Kopa Award for the best young footballer of the moment in Paris last Monday and will collect many more if he continues this progress. He is already tipped to be a future Ballon d’Or winner and his humility will be tested.

It will also be necessary to see how the Englishman will adapt if Kylian Mbappé’s arrival happens next season. Real Madrid continue to think about the French star and tactically Ancelotti (or whoever sits on the Bernabéu bench if the Italian moves to Brazil) will have to solve a new puzzle in attack.

Bellingham now gets along very well with Vinicius Junior, who opens up a lot of space for him with his individual quality, ‘dragging’ his goals and helping him reach the baseline. And Jude, prowling around the front, shows off his powerful shot. However, this freedom of movement and Creating an environment where Mbappé can benefit from his qualities may be questioned once Mbappé comes to the country.