- Burst out of the blocks at the Bernabeu
- Goal output has slowed of late
- In hunt for Liga & Champions League crowns
Getty ImagesExplained: Why Jude Bellingham’s ‘level has dropped’ at Real Madrid as Julio Baptista picks out ‘best’ position for 20-goal England superstar

Fubo
✅ Carries ESPN Deportes, which broadcasts over 200 select LaLiga matches per season with traditional linear presentation and studio coverage.
✅ Includes local ABC stations and main ESPN channels for the high-profile marquee matches that are simulcast over traditional television.
✅ Allows you to record matches with unlimited Cloud DVR storage and stream up to four channels simultaneously on compatible TV devices.

DirecTV
✅ Carries local ABC stations and the main ESPN linear networks for marquee, nationally televised LaLiga fixtures without requiring an antenna.
✅ Offers ESPN Deportes either via the dedicated Spanish-first tiers (such as Óptimo Más) or as an add-on, giving you live TV commentary and dedicated studio coverage.
✅ Includes unlimited Cloud DVR storage and allows simultaneous streaming on unlimited compatible devices connected to your home network.

ESPN+
✅ Streams all 380 LaLiga fixtures throughout the season in both English and Spanish, including every El Clásico fixture.
✅ Provides full match replays, extended highlights, and Spanish football studio shows (such as LaLiga Confidential and ESPN FC) accessible whenever you want.
✅ Bundles Spanish top-flight football alongside extensive European and domestic action, including the German Bundesliga, Copa del Rey, and FA Cup.

Fubo
✅ Carries ESPN Deportes, which broadcasts over 200 select LaLiga matches per season with traditional linear presentation and studio coverage.
✅ Includes local ABC stations and main ESPN channels for the high-profile marquee matches that are simulcast over traditional television.
✅ Allows you to record matches with unlimited Cloud DVR storage and stream up to four channels simultaneously on compatible TV devices.

DirecTV
✅ Carries local ABC stations and the main ESPN linear networks for marquee, nationally televised LaLiga fixtures without requiring an antenna.
✅ Offers ESPN Deportes either via the dedicated Spanish-first tiers (such as Óptimo Más) or as an add-on, giving you live TV commentary and dedicated studio coverage.
✅ Includes unlimited Cloud DVR storage and allows simultaneous streaming on unlimited compatible devices connected to your home network.

ESPN+
✅ Streams all 380 LaLiga fixtures throughout the season in both English and Spanish, including every El Clásico fixture.
✅ Provides full match replays, extended highlights, and Spanish football studio shows (such as LaLiga Confidential and ESPN FC) accessible whenever you want.
✅ Bundles Spanish top-flight football alongside extensive European and domestic action, including the German Bundesliga, Copa del Rey, and FA Cup.

Fubo
✅ Carries ESPN Deportes, which broadcasts over 200 select LaLiga matches per season with traditional linear presentation and studio coverage.
✅ Includes local ABC stations and main ESPN channels for the high-profile marquee matches that are simulcast over traditional television.
✅ Allows you to record matches with unlimited Cloud DVR storage and stream up to four channels simultaneously on compatible TV devices.
WHAT HAPPENED?
Maintaining the standards set through the early months of his time at Santiago Bernabeu was always going to be difficult, with the 20-year-old midfielder bursting out of the blocks. Bellingham’s efforts landed him Kopa Trophy and Golden Boy award recognition, while regularly being compared to legendary figures from Real’s glittering past – such as Luis Figo and Zinedine Zidane.
GettyWHAT BAPTISTA SAID ABOUT BELLINGHAM
Bellingham has slowed down of late, registering just three goals through his last 15 appearances, with former Blancos star Julio Baptista telling the Daily Mail of that slight dip: “I think he has adapted very well and he had an extraordinary start to his career at Madrid. Perhaps his level has dropped a little over the last month or so but maybe that is just the accumulation of games he has played. He has played a lot of minutes and sometimes players start to feel that in the legs, they are only human.”
THE BIGGER PICTURE
Madrid have given Bellingham the freedom to flourish in Spanish football, with Baptista adding on the position that plays to his strengths: “I see him playing behind a striker or playing behind two strikers. I think that is where you will get the best out of him.”
GettyWHAT NEXT FOR BELLINGHAM?
Bellingham has helped Real to the top of the Spanish league table and semi-finals of the Champions League – where he will be lining up against England team-mate Harry Kane. He also has a European Championship trophy quest with the Three Lions to come this summer.
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