1 A plan that Ancelotti designed to suit himself
Carlo Ancelotti played a pivotal role in shaping Jude Bellingham’s standout goal threat. With Karim Benzema’s departure leaving Real Madrid short of a traditional center forward, the team needed a sharper attacking approach. Vinícius Júnior and Rodrygo are talented wingers, but neither is a classic 9, and Joselu’s loan from Espanyol offered 17 goals last season yet did not feel like a natural fit.
Real Madrid did not rely on a one-size-fits-all system. Ancelotti, who had previously balanced gifted midfielders with adaptable tactics, viewed Bellingham not as a pure number nine but as a versatile asset who could redefine the front line. The coach recalled past lessons from his Parma days and adjusted the formation rather than forcing the player into a rigid mold. The result was a shift to a 4-4-2, positioning Bellingham at the tip of a midfield diamond and letting the rest of the team orbit around his movements. As Thierry Henry has illustrated, three midfielders provide balance from the back, while forwards ahead of him stretch and create space. The approach clicked beautifully.
2 Pass less to score more goals
To grasp the level of innovation Bellingham brought to Real Madrid, one can review his goal tally from the previous season. With Borussia Dortmund, he recorded 14 goals in 42 appearances in 2022/23, just a single goal shy of the threshold many clubs target for a breakout talent. The pattern echoed his prior campaigns in Germany: 6 goals in 44 appearances in 2021/22, 4 goals in 46 appearances in 2020/21, and 4 goals in 44 appearances during the 2019/20 season with Birmingham City early in his career.
That leap from roughly a goal every three games to a rate approaching a goal per game signaled a sharpened killer instinct. In his Real Madrid debut, he struck twice and assisted the other goal, underscoring how the new system leveraged his scoring prowess. In the season that followed, he tallied seven goals, with fewer assists than in earlier seasons, yet his output aligned with Real Madrid’s evolving needs and tactical setup.
3 A footballer who exudes immense confidence in his possibilities
From the outset, Bellingham conveyed a grounded mindset, often describing himself as a normal kid. He maintains a disciplined routine shaped in part by his mother, Denise, and mentors who shaped his character from an early age. An African heritage, a move to England, and experiences with a supportive family environment helped instill a steady temperament that keeps his feet planted firmly on the ground even as his fame grows.
Known for a calm demeanor, he remains relentlessly ambitious. His inner belief in his capabilities fuels a constant drive to improve and embrace demanding challenges, including a high-profile move to Real Madrid, where expectations run high. Celebrating goals with raised arms has sparked discussions about arrogance, but for many, the gestures feel like a natural reaction rather than a statement of swagger. The tendency to celebrate is linked to personal memories and moments that have become part of his identity.
4 The arrival of recognition and the future alongside Mbappé
At present, Bellingham appears unfazed by the whirlwind of attention around him. He has even earned warmth from rival supporters who appreciate his on-field charisma and collaborative play, particularly alongside teammates like Vinícius Júnior, who creates space with his dribbling and speed. The English midfielder’s cannon of a shot and his tactical mobility make him a central figure in Madrid’s attacking plans.
As he continues to excel, he is already in the conversation for the sport’s most coveted honors. He received the Kopa Award for the best young footballer of the moment in Paris and is widely viewed as a future Ballon d’Or contender, provided he maintains humility and continues this upward trajectory. Whether he can adapt if a high-profile transfer target such as Kylian Mbappé joins Real Madrid remains a key tactical question for Ancelotti and the Bernabéu hierarchy.
In the present arrangement, Bellingham’s synergy with Vinícius Júnior helps him find space to operate and connects with the goal threat. As the team evolves, questions linger about how Mbappé’s potential arrival would reshape the attacking puzzle, but the core dynamic remains: Bellingham thrives when allowed to roam behind a flexible front line, with the space created by the Brazilian star opening lanes for his powerful shot and precise finishing. The future looks bright as he continues to develop and adapt within Real Madrid’s system.
“Kif himself is so famous (…) it almost feels like a super suit.” The sentiment captures the public recognition surrounding the young midfielder as he climbs toward the upper echelons of world football. Ballon d’Or discourse looms large, and the ongoing evolution of Madrid’s attack suggests a path toward sustained elite performance.
It remains to be seen how Madrid’s plans would adjust if Mbappé becomes part of the setup. The club continues to explore strategic options for the attack, but Bellingham’s current form and the chemistry with teammates already point to a bright, influential future in European football, with a potential to shape the dynamic of the Spanish powerhouse for seasons to come.
Notes: This synthesis draws from public commentary and the observed progression of Bellingham’s role in Real Madrid’s system. Citations are attributed to contemporary analyses and official team communications as context for his growth and the tactical evolution described above.