There is a real case to be made that in terms of his all around impact, the clutch nature of his performances, and the way he led his supporting cast, Jude Bellingham had the best 2026 World Cup out of all the brilliant performances at the tournament by Madrid players.
Now, Jose Mourinho is excited to work with a player he has been praising an analyst for years, and what is left unsaid but understood by the Madridistas is that Real Madrid have not been the same since divesting their plan in 2023/24 of building the squad around Bellingham, who was the best player in the world that season in his first year as a 100 million euro transfer from Borussia Dortmund.
But the problem for Bellingham is that he is the victim of his own success and all around brilliance, in a way. He started as a No. 10 and almost a false striker for Los Merengues in 2023/24, nearly winning the Pichichi in an advanced role as a midfielder whlie still showing excellent defensive work and ball progression.
Jude Bellingham was sacrificed by Real Madrid coaches
Then, Carlo Ancelotti and the ensuing Real Madrid coaches decided they needed Bellingham more as a center midfielder than an attacking midfielder, especially after the departures of Toni Kroos and then Luka Modric, but that neutralized a lot of Bellingham's best qualities offensively. Real Madrid leaned too hard into the direction of turning Bellingham into a defender - and he was even playing almost like a fullback at times in the 2024/25 season.
Jose Mourinho has to choose if Jude is going to be a wide midfield No. 8, a classic No. 10, a modern pressing No. 10, a false 10 like he was under Carletto in 2023/24, a double pivot No. 8, or a No. 6 in a double pivot.
And how he chooses to utilize arguably his best all around player in the squad will shape the tactics and Real Madrid as a team. Bellingham as a 10 means Arda Guler is a deep lying playmaker and Real Madrid have more pressing from the front, but maybe a little less ball carrying from deep. But Jude can also score more goals in this position, sacrificing less defensive cover for aggressive pressing.
Bellingham as a wide 8 means Real Madrid have more carrying and width. Playing him in a double pivot with Rodri means Real Madrid will have more control of games, especially defensively, and may be more lethal on the counter with Jude bringing out quick transitions with the ball at his feet, just like he did at England.
There is no right or wrong answer in terms of role, but there is a right or wrong answer in terms of importance. Jose Mourinho needs to make sure Jude Bellingham is crucial to his team and involved, and he may choose Jude's position based on the strengths of his squad - and it may be a decision that continues to evolve after Matchday 1.
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