Bellingham pays the price for Real Madrid’s signing of Mbappe and Ancelotti must find a solution
On Sunday evening, Real Madrid played their first match of the Spanish League against Real Mallorca, ending in a draw that left fans and analysts disappointed. Expectations were sky-high for the team, especially after their high-profile summer signing of French star Kylian Mbappé. However, the performance on the field did not live up to the hype.
The signing of Mbappé, a move that Real Madrid president Florentino Pérez and fans had eagerly anticipated, is now being questioned as a possible reason for the team’s underwhelming start. Instead of boosting the team’s performance, some believe it may have disrupted the balance that made Real Madrid successful last season.
Particularly concerning was the performance of English midfielder Jude Bellingham, who did not seem as comfortable or effective in the match against Mallorca. Bellingham, who had a standout season last year, appeared restricted after being moved back to a more traditional midfield role. His freedom to roam and create, which was a significant factor in his success last season, seemed to be curtailed.
One of the reasons Bellingham excelled last season was his ability to play with freedom, especially during the period when Brazilian star Vinícius Júnior was sidelined with an injury. This freedom allowed Bellingham to showcase his creativity and influence on the game. However, with Mbappé now in the squad, Real Madrid’s coach, Carlo Ancelotti, has been forced to adjust his tactics.
Mbappé’s arrival has led Ancelotti to deploy him as a central striker, with Rodrigo and Vinícius Júnior occupying the wings. This has significantly altered the team’s dynamics, forcing Bellingham into a more constrained role as a pivot player. In this position, Bellingham’s primary responsibility is to pass the ball forward rather than contribute directly to the team’s attacking play, which limits his ability to shine.
Spanish newspapers have highlighted this issue, expressing concerns that the inclusion of Mbappé could potentially disrupt the carefully crafted system that had brought Real Madrid success. They also pointed out that Mbappé might be struggling with his new role as a central striker, which is not his natural position.
The fear is that if Bellingham continues in his current role, his brilliance and effectiveness on the field could be diminished, preventing him from fully utilizing his skills and potential. This situation raises important questions about how Real Madrid will adapt and whether they can find a way to integrate their new star player without sacrificing the performance of other key players like Bellingham.
