Despite Kylian Mbappe’s brilliant hat-trick, Jude Bellingham was the best player on the pitch for Real Madrid as they beat Real Sociedad 4-1 at the Bernabeu on Wednesday.
They showed just how devastatingly good this team can be when they feel like it, but a lot of it went through Bellingham, who was simply unplayable on the night.
With less than 80 minutes on the board, Bellingham had two assists, three dribbles, two tackles, four recoveries, four chances created, and a lot of brilliant moments that felt like just another Wednesday for the Englishman.
He ended the game with a standing ovation from the Bernabeu, and probably had something left in the tank, but Jose Mourinho would’ve wanted Bellingham to hear the applause he so clearly deserved.
Jude Bellingham provides so much more to Real Madrid than just goals
This game, the one against Espanyol – where he had a different, but equally effective role – as well as so many games over the course of his Real Madrid career so far prove just how good the Englishman actually is.
In fact, he might just be the best player on this team, but no one will admit it.
Kylian Mbappe will score all the goals, Vinicius Jr will get the oohs and aahs from the crowd, but Bellingham is the most complete, most important and the best player on the pitch for the team.
He is a brilliant creator, which he showcased excellently on Wednesday. He is a great box-crasher, and loves scoring goals. Bellingham is also an underrated defender and presser. In fact, so many of Real Madrid’s goals – including Vini’s today – start with Bellingham intervening and winning the ball in an advanced area.
Even when he is situated deeper on the pitch, Bellingham wins his duels as well as the ball more often than not. There have been a plethora of last-ditch tackles, defensive interventions on the edge of the box, as well as crucial blocks in his team’s penalty area, but no one talks about it enough.
Bellingham is an incredible player, and his IQ of the game is ridiculously high. He may not be the best at every single thing he does, but he sure is up there, and that is exactly why he deserves his plaudits.
It is only the start of the season, so it would be stupid to call this a conclusive piece for the campaign, but Bellingham, if he continues playing like this, will remain Real Madrid’s most important player by a country mile, and could be a huge reason the team finally achieves something.
Add us as a preferred source on Google