Jude Bellingham has entered the new season with a clear sense of purpose, appearing revitalized and ready to demonstrate his full potential. The 23-year-old midfielder has contributed two goals and three assists to help Real Madrid secure three wins from their opening three league matches under the leadership of new manager Jose Mourinho.
His current form, characterized by increased freedom on the pitch, mirrors the impact he made during his debut 2023-24 campaign at the Bernabeu, where he netted 23 goals while helping the club secure both La Liga and the Champions League titles. Following two seasons hampered by inconsistency, a 2025 shoulder surgery, and a 2026 hamstring injury that sidelined him for 10 matches, Bellingham now appears to be at peak physical fitness.
Tactical Adjustments and Role
- Primary Position: Number 10 in a 4-2-3-1 formation
- Defensive Adjustment: Reduced workload compared to previous seasons
- Key Objective: Maintaining proximity to the opposition goal
- Team Philosophy: Emphasis on collective movement rather than individual roles
Mourinho has explicitly moved to reduce the defensive burden on the England international. Reflecting on the team’s 4-0 victory over Malaga, the Portuguese manager noted that he had reached an agreement with Bellingham to stop him from dropping deep to defend like a second left-back. By positioning him behind striker Kylian Mbappe, Mourinho has empowered Bellingham to focus his energy on pressing higher up the pitch and connecting with the forward line.
Bellingham himself has expressed enthusiasm for the tactical shift, noting that he now enjoys greater autonomy regarding when to drop back or push into the penalty area. He described the experience of working under Mourinho as a dream, highlighting that the manager’s approach allows him to be more influential in the final third. Mourinho, in turn, has praised the midfielder as a unique talent, citing his tactical intelligence, mental fortitude, and ability to recover possession as vital assets for the squad.
The manager also pointed to Bellingham’s successful stint at the World Cup—where he recorded seven goals and one assist in eight matches—as a blueprint for his deployment at the club level. Mourinho emphasized that the team’s success relies on a cohesive dynamic, famously stating that the system is about the collective 11 rather than a split of 2+9. With 48 goals in 143 appearances for the club, Bellingham remains a central figure in Mourinho’s long-term vision, with the manager even suggesting the player should be considered a contender for the Ballon d’Or.
While Real Madrid has enjoyed a strong start, scoring 10 goals and conceding only two in their first three matches, both player and manager remain focused on the challenges ahead, including the demands of the upcoming Champions League campaign. For now, Bellingham is simply enjoying his football, stating that his current happiness is directly reflected in his high-level performances on the pitch. The report also notes that with his displays and attacking influence affected not only by a deeper role, but by recurring injuries, bellingham’s last two campaigns were less consistent. The report also notes that he had a long-standing shoulder problem that required surgery in 2025 and a hamstring issue that kept him out for 10 matches in 2026. The report also notes that since returning this summer to take charge of the club for a second spell, Mourinho has made an important adjustment in reducing the defensive workload that previously meant Bellingham had to cover huge areas of the pitch. The report also notes that i told him I do not want to see that anymore. The report also notes that defence and attack, he can spend more time in the areas where he is most dangerous, rather than constantly moving between midfield. The report also notes that carry it forward, combine with the forwards and make late runs into the penalty area, it has meant Bellingham can receive the ball between the lines. The report also notes that he is being given greater freedom to decide when to move, just as importantly.
