Jude Bellingham has returned to full fitness in a welcome boost for Real Madrid ahead of tonight's UEFA Champions League clash with Manchester City. Los Blancos are already in full control of the tie having won 3-0 at the Santiago Bernabeu last week.
The English midfielder missed that game amid a hamstring injury which has kept him on the sidelines since the start of February. He has sat out 10 games across competitions as a result including the incredible victory over City.
Bellingham is set to return and is likely to be named in Alvaro Arbeloa's squad for the game at the Etihad tonight (March 17th). He is also expected to soon reclaim a starting berth in the team but not at the expense of star boy Thiago Pitarch.
Pitarch to stay as a starter despite Bellingham return
Pitarch has been hugely impressive since earning a regular run in the senior team. The 18-year-old Spanish midfielder has made six appearances in Bellingham's absence.
According to Spanish journalist Alberto Pereiro (via Madrid Universal), Arda Guler will be the one to drop out of Arbeloa's team for Bellingham. Pitarch won't be benched even when the Englishman returns to the starting lineup.
Guler has also been a regular in Bellingham's absence, making 43 appearances across competitions this season, posting four goals and 13 assists. The Turkish midfielder scored one of the goals of the season in a 4-1 win over Elche on the weekend.
The right call
Pitarch has played with maturity beyond his years ever since he arrived in Madrid's senior team. He has been sensational and it bodes well for the future with him a long-term solution.
There has been a need to replace Toni Kroos and his creativity at the Bernabeu and that hasn't happened thus far. But the Spaniard has shown signs of possessing a similar ball-playing profile while his all-round game is earning rave reviews.
Bellingham will undoubtedly return to Arbeloa's starting lineup but he might even benefit from playing alongside Pitarch rather than Guler. The Turk is much more attacking minded and that has been a problem trying to get the pair in a midfield alongside Aurelien Tchouameni.
Arbeloa can still use Guler to effect games off the bench especially when his side are chasing a result. He is an excellent versatile option who can make an impact in crucial moments including in high-profile Champions League games.