Real Madrid have not made a lot of signings in recent years. But most of the players that the club have brought in lately have proven to be quality additions. That is one of the biggest reasons why the Spanish giants have remained one of the best in Europe when so many other top clubs have struggled despite spending more on transfers and having bigger squads.
Out of all the signings that Real Madrid have made in recent years, Jude Bellingham might be the absolute best. The Englishman was signed in the summer from Borussia Dortmund for a transfer package believed to be around €134 million and he can already be considered the face of the club.
Bellingham was always expected to be a success, being the reigning Bundesliga Player of the Season. But he has exceeded the expectations of even the most optimistic fans.
Bellingham might very well be the best player in the world right now. His numbers have been unbelievable and his overall play has been excellent too. It is hard to think of an aspect of the game in which he has not excelled.
Real Madrid superstar praised for rejecting Manchester United
Things could have turned out very different for Bellingham though, if he had made some different decisions earlier in his career. After all, he did have the chance to join Manchester United before he ended up at Borussia Dortmund.
Turning that down must have been difficult. It hindsight, it was absolutely the right decision though. Who knows how things would have turned out for him if he joined Manchester United instead of Borussia Dortmund.
As reported by talkSPORT, Gary Neville said while speaking on Sky Sports:
"I’ve spoken to a couple of players before they’ve come here and said ‘you’ll never regret it, it’s a magic football club’.
“But I have to say looking back, it looks like pretty poor advice with what’s happened to them since they’ve come and it’s really sad.
“They would have thrived at other clubs. Other players who have chosen other clubs have gone on to be really successful.
“You think of Jude Bellingham, and I think of that quite a lot, when he walks into the boardroom here at Man United, United have agreed a fee with Birmingham, and so have Dortmund.
“He has a choice between Dortmund and United. And somehow that kid, well done to him, chose Borussia Dortmund, and he’s now one of the greatest players in the world, one of the greatest English talents.
“What would have happened to him if he’d come here? I don’t know, maybe he would have been a success because he’s that good.
“I’m not so sure in the current environment and culture and what’s been happening."
Bellingham does seem to have a knack for making the right decisions. Of course, joining Real Madrid would not have been an easy decision either. The club already had Luka Modric, Toni Kroos, Fede Valverde, Aurelien Tchouameni, Eduardo Camavinga and Dani Ceballos in midfield.
There were a lot of people who though Bellingham would not be a starter at Real Madrid. He has proven all of them wrong and was correct to back himself to succeed in the Royal White jersey. He quite certainly has and then some.