Jude Bellingham and Real Madrid proving a match made in heaven

 

In the grand re-opening of the Santiago Bernabeu, David Soria sought to spoil the party. Getafe made the short trip across the capital to take on their illustrious neighbours Real Madrid in what many expected to be a routine win for Los Blancos. However, Soria had other ideas. The 30-year-old made a total of 10 saves at the Bernabeu, a record in a La Liga match this season, and it looked as though Getafe would return home with a point to show for their efforts. 

 

And yet in the dying embers, Soria spilled a Lucas Vazquez shot back into the dangerzone. Who was there to capitalise? Jude Bellingham, of course. Donning the famous number five shirt, the summer signing tucked past Soria to ensure Los Blancos secured all the spoils to kick off a party atmosphere for the home support. At the moment, he is inevitable.  

 

That goal was Bellingham's fifth in his opening four league appearances for Real Madrid following his high profile move from Borussia Dortmund to Carlo Ancelotti's side. However, what stands out is that he is doing so in a different role many had become accustomed to during his time in Germany and with the England national team. Whereas he'd previously be used in a deeper role, Ancelotti has elected to start the 20-year-old in the number 10 role in a 4-3-1-2 formation. 

 

Ancelotti does, after all, have an abundance of riches to call upon in the middle of the park, so he's doing all he can do stick as many as he can in his starting XI, and has done so to good effect so far. Real Madrid are the only side with a 100% record in Spain's top tier so far, winning all four league matches with Bellingham shining in the role behind the two strikers. 

 

 

Bellingham's WhoScored rating of 8.26 is the best in La Liga this season and he's won the player of the match award more times (3) than any other player in Europe's top five leagues. He ranks fifth for key passes (9) in Spain, yet tellingly is the most fouled player in the division, having been done so 14 times already. This latter stat is key. Opponents are targeting Bellingham as they seek to minimise his impact, or in an effort to rile the youngster. The efforts are in vein. 

 

Bellingham is taking the rough treatment in his stride. Against Athletic Club in Real Madrid's season opener at San Mames, a tough place to visit no less, Bellingham was fouled six times. He responded in the best way possible - he scored Los Blancos' decisive second in a man of the match performance. You've all seen the photo of the England international, arms aloft as the Lehoiak faithful hurled abuse at the midfielder. 

 

Celta Vigo attempted the same when the pair met at the Balaidos, with Bellingham again targeted. He was fouled five times, yet again bagged the winning goal for Ancelotti's side in the 81st minute. Opponents do their best to provoke Bellingham, and yet they fail to garner a reaction from the midfielder, who instead responds by winning Real Madrid points. This is particularly notable following both the departure of Karim Benzema and injury to last season's star man Vinicius Junior. 

 

Crucially still is that we're witnessing just how much damage Bellingham can do in the final third without the need to carry out the defensive duties. He finished sixth for total tackles in the Bundesliga last season, with 76, yet has made just three in his opening four appearances for Real Madrid. A change in role means his primary task is to wreak havoc in the final third rather than worry himself about the need to protect the defence, so it's no wonder he is just three goals short of matching is 2022/23 total after just four games. 

 

This not only benefits Real Madrid in their bid to wrestle the La Liga title back from Barcelona, but for his country, too. Gareth Southgate has used a 4-3-3 setup for England's four European Championship qualifiers, and with four wins already, he's unlikely to divert from that system. In the formation, Bellingham is free to get forward to support the attack but his effectiveness in the number 10 role for Real Madrid means Southgate has options to tinker with his system and personnel should needs must. 

 

It's in this role that has enabled Bellingham to really hit the ground running in Spain. Taking on the number five shirt, once donned by club hero Zinedine Zidane, in a position where a number of greats have operated meant the pressure was incredibly high for Bellingham to succeed before he'd even made his first appearance for Real Madrid. 

 

Just four games in, however, and Bellingham has already established himself as a Bernabeu favourite.

Jude Bellingham and Real Madrid proving a match made in heaven