The tactical evolution of Jude Bellingham at Real Madrid

Attacking midfielder or left winger?

Jude Bellingham’s tactical evolution at Real Madrid began in his first season (23/24). Ancelotti used him in the first games as an attacking midfielder, scoring 10 goals in his first 10 games. In those games we could see Jude playing inside, both in and out of possesion. When Real Madrid pressed, Jude was in the central lane, having to do little defensive effort, as the left flank was covered by a central midfielder.

In those games, when Real Madrid recovered the ball, the English player was much fresher and closer to the goal in the attacing transition, being decisive in the initial stretch of La Liga 23/24 that Real Madrid ended up winning.

Due to the tactical evolution of the team during the season, Bellingham was the left winger in the defensive phase, which took him away from the opposition’s box and forced him to work harder defensively. This decreased his goal contribution (3 goals in the last 10 games of last season).

This season (24/25), Real Madrid is having problems putting the puzzle together. In the defeat against Lille in the Champions League, we saw Bellingham in the same role as last season, left winger. More defensive work, less influence in the opponent’s box.

Metropolitano Stadium

If we compare Real Madrid’s visit to the Metropolitano this season with last season’s in La Liga, we’ll see that his actions in this year’s game were further away from goal and closer to the left wing, being too wide for his strengths. In this new role, Bellingham became a player that works more defensively and influences the build-up, trying to be the connector between defense and attack.

23/24

24/25

Back to the past?

In the following game, against Villarreal, Ancelotti returned Jude Bellingham to the attacking midfield position trying to recover his goal-scoring contribution.

Ancelotti will have to decide if he wants Bellingham with less mobility and wider, as a left winger, participating more in the build-up and being able to make a greater number of passes per game or as an attacking midfielder averaging 4 touches in the opponent’s box per 90 minutes last season, while in the start o this season he is making less than 3 touches and scoring less goals.