Jude Bellingham gets position promise at Real Madrid after rediscovering goal touch in the wake of Kylian Mbappe’s arrival

The England international starred for the Blancos last season, with a 23-goal haul helping them to La Liga and Champions League titles and himself to a standing among the 2024 Ballon d’Or contenders. Bellingham earned widespread praise while operating in an advanced No.10 role.

He was always going to be pushed back once Real made World Cup winner Mbappe the latest ‘Galactico’ at Santiago Bernabeu, with another fearsome attacker being added to Carlo Ancelotti’s ranks. After being deployed a bit deeper, Bellingham went 12 games without a goal at the start of the 2024-25 campaign.

He was used as a second right-back in a Clasico clash with Barcelona, while often being asked to be more defensive than offensive, but has burst back into life of late with a run of seven goals in his last 10 appearances – some of which have come when covering for Vinicius Junior in a ‘false nine’ berth.

With Bellingham flying again, Real Madrid Confidencial reports on how Ancelotti has vowed not to tinker with the 21-year-old’s role again. The Italian tactician is said to have told his talismanic midfielder: “I'm not going to put you in any other position than near the penalty area.”

That will be music to Bellingham’s ears, as his reputation with club and country has been forged on impacting games in the final third of the field. Real have been enjoying a winter break, but will return to action for the first time in 2025 when taking in a trip to Valencia on Friday.