The arrival of Jude Bellingham at Real Madrid marks the dawn of a new era as Los Blancos secure their newest Galactico.
Jude Bellingham is Real Madrid’s newest Galactico. On June 14, the Spanish giants announced the signing of the English international who will wear the famous number ‘5’ jersey of his idol Zinedine Zidane. Los Blancos paid a whopping €103 million fee plus add-ons to acquire the 19-year-old midfield sensation.
The England international is a signing that will help Los Blancos’ transition from the Luka Modric-Toni Kroos era and maintain the same dominance in the centre of the park. While the transition will happen eventually, his arrival at this point in time makes them the most deadly midfield in world football by a margin.
Bellingham is a versatile player who can feature as a central midfielder as well as an attacking midfielder. The former Borussia Dortmund star will allow Carlo Ancelotti with numerous possibilities in the centre of the park. And, it won’t be just options in terms of personality but in terms of formations as well. Bellingham who is an exceptional player will allow the Italian manager the luxury of going ahead with a midfield four, a double pivot as well as conventional three.
Bellingham vs Real Madrid midfielders
It won’t be wrong to say that Jude Bellingham is a complete midfielder who is equally good in defence as well as offence. And, the only other Real Madrid player who is equally good in both departments is Luka Modric.
The Croatian veteran is the heart of the Real Madrid midfield, and Bellingham can surely learn from the best in the business. The England international is just 19 and he is amongst the best midfielders in world football, the teenager has everything in his game.
And, Bellingham will surely develop a lot more under the guidance of Modric and can even take over the reins of this midfield from the Croatian magician. Jude Bellingham’s midfield numbers in the league and the Champions League are quite impressive when we compare them with Real Madrid’s midfielders.
Here's how Jude Bellingham compares to Real Madrid's midfield this season! 👀📊 pic.twitter.com/BsQDXJyo2B
— Sky Sports Football (@SkyFootball) May 4, 2023
The England international’s passing and chance-creation numbers are not up there with the Madrid midfielders because of obvious reasons. Los Blancos have much more of the ball than Dortmund. And, because of that, the 19-year-old has better defensive numbers than any Madrid midfielder.
In terms of goals scored, Bellingham was second to Federico Valverde who often plays as a right winger. Even in terms of shots on target, the teenager ranks second when compared with the Real Madrid midfielders.
He leads the charts in possessions won in the final third, touches in the opposition box and take-ons completed. The fact that he is above the majority of Real Madrid’s midfield men suggests that he is a great acquisition who will help them carry on their dominance.
The Versatile Englishman
Being a complete midfielder allows one’s team to use a player in different positions/roles. The 19-year-old is not just a complete midfielder, he is amongst the best. And, Real Madrid will surely benefit from his arrival. Not to forget they already have Luka Modric, arguably the best midfielder of the modern era.
"Jude Bellingham is capable of everything!" 🙌
"Bellingham can develop and become a better player than Zidane at Real Madrid." 😮
Tony Cascarino believes that #RMCF Bellingham's versatility will help him become a better player in La Liga ⚽ pic.twitter.com/7LGHFsOprP
— talkSPORT (@talkSPORT) June 17, 2023
Modric’s versatility and the number of roles that he has been used in over the years will surely give the fans an idea of how Bellingham can be used. However, to be more specific, he can fit in as a box-to-box midfielder, a No.10 and in a double pivot.
Given his defensive as well as offensive contributions over the past few seasons at Dortmund one thing is certain, playing as a box-to-box midfielder in a 4-3-3 system won’t be a problem for the 19-year-old. He has all the skillsets needed to retrieve the ball, dictate the pace of the game and dominate possession.
With the 4-3-3 being Ancelotti’s preferred position, Bellingham is expected to feature in a box-to-box role on the majority of the occasions.
The Italian manager might not have used a double pivot in the centre of the park, but he tends to use it when the going gets tough or when he needs to freshen things up. Ancelotti ends up using the 4-2-3-1 formation at times. It is a formation where the double pivot shields the backline, he uses it to have numbers in the centre of the park.
Given the defensive contribution that Bellingham has and the ability to win the ball back as well as press, he can easily pair up with any of the Madrid midfielders to form the double pivot and run the show.
Playing as an attacking midfielder might not be something that Bellingham is that familiar with but he does have the skillset to feature as one. The 19-year-old has an eye for goal, and he can create as well as convert. As a result, it might not be that big a problem.
With a good enough shield behind him at Los Blancos, the former Borussia Dortmund star can easily fit into the role of a no.10. However, he won’t be used as an attacking midfielder unless it is absolutely necessary and Madrid don’t have the likes of Rodrygo Goes, Modric or Brahim Diaz available.
A Luxury for Carlo Ancelotti
Bellingham’s arrival will allow the Italian manager to have multiple options to work within a single formation. It will give different combinations that he can use to dominate the opposition and get the desired results.
Formations & combinations that Ancelotti can use with Bellingham in the mix:
Formation 4-3-3 | Possible Combinations
Modric – Kroos – Bellingham
Modric – Camavinga – Bellingham
Modric – Tchouameni – Bellingham
Valverde – Kroos – Bellingham
Bellingham – Camavinga – Kroos
Formation 4-2-3-1 | Possible Combinations:
As a part of the Double Pivot
Bellingham – Kroos
Bellingham – Camavinga
Bellingham – Tchouameni
As an Attacking Midfielder
Despite it being an unlikely scenario where Bellingham features as an attacking midfielder, it surely is an option for Carlo Ancelotti.
Valverde – Kroos – Bellingham (AM)
Modric – Camavinga – Bellingham (AM)
Modric – Kroos – Bellingham (AM)
Tchouameni – Camavinga – Bellingham (AM)
Formation 3-4-3 | Possible Combinations:
If Ancelotti decides to switch to a back three and plays four midfielders at some stage of the season, Bellingham can form a partnership with either Toni Kroos, Aurelien Tchouameni or Luka Modric in the centre, and they will have the support of Eduardo Camavinga and Federico Valverde from either flank.
Camavinga – Bellingham – Kroos – Valverde
Camavinga – Bellingham – Tchouameni – Valverde
Camavinga – Bellingham – Modric – Valverde
Bellingham’s arrival has surely created a lot of buzz amongst the fans, they are expecting Real Madrid to be back at their best next season. And, given the versatility of the 19-year-old and his skillset, he can surely help Los Blancos’ cause.
However, only his arrival is not enough, the Merengues need to make a number of attacking signings to ensure that they can cope with the absence of Karim Benzema and Marco Asensio along with the others who have left the club.
