Jude Bellingham to reprise 2023/24 role - report

Real Madrid midfielder Jude Bellingham is expected to resume the same role he held during the 2023/24 season once he returns from injury, according to a report from AS. The English superstar has been recovering from shoulder surgery in recent weeks, with his comeback still some time away.

Manager Xabi Alonso views Bellingham as both a finisher and a playmaker, similar to how Carlo Ancelotti utilized him during the campaign in which Real Madrid won both La Liga and the Champions League. This suggests his responsibilities upon return will closely mirror those of last season.

Last season, Bellingham’s role frequently changed, which limited his effectiveness. A more consistent and defined position this time is expected to help him return to the high standards he set during his debut season. This shift would likely result in Franco Mastantuono moving to the bench to accommodate Bellingham.

Alonso has already experimented with this tactical setup, at least to some degree, during the Club World Cup. In those matches, Bellingham often played in a more advanced position while Arda Güler operated slightly deeper. All indications are that Alonso plans to repeat this approach once Bellingham is fully fit.