It was time for this 2024/2025 season to stop for Jude Bellingham. Used by this exercise without a major trophy, apart from the European Super Cup 2024 won against Atalanta at the start of the season, the 21 -year -old midfielder would have made a big decision. Suffering from shoulder problems for a year and a half, Bellingham is playing constantly with protection. But yesterday, the Spanish press assured that the Englishman had decided to be operated on after the Club World Cup.
Find the 2023/2024 Bellingham
A surgical intervention which, if it is confirmed, would oblige the vice-champion of Europe 2024 to stay away from the fields for three months. A good cut to get off on the right foot? The case of the Briton will in any case be scrutinized closely. This season, Bellingham has made a copy more than correct in terms of statistics (14 goals, as many assists in 51 matches), even if his assessment is slightly less effective than that of the past season (23 goals, 13 assists in 43 matches). An observation which is however not surprising and which partly explains its mixed season.
With the arrival of Kylian Mbappé, Bellingham could not project himself as much forward as he could do during his first year in Madrid. Descend from a notch in the middle (its basic position), English has logically had to leave the Mbappé-Vinicius-Rodrygo trio express themselves. However, Bellingham had taken a liking to his role as a providential scorer of last year which exempt him from defensive tasks. This season, the former BVB resident above all had to play the Swiss knives. Faced with the defensive imbalance noted by Carlo Ancelotti, the number 5 Merengue was strolled and often seemed helpless. Obliged to run everywhere to cover the left and right wing, Bellingham has finished his season on the ball joints.
Bellingham exiled on the left side?
With the arrival of Xabi Alonso, what role will he have? The environment will undoubtedly remain one of the indisputable holders, even if it will have to fight to find its sticker stripes if its three -month absence is confirmed. It will also be necessary to watch if the hatching of Arda Güler is confirmed and at what position, the Turk having made very clean copies in a role of environment. In its edition of the day, AS believes to have a part of the answer. The Madrid daily ensures that Xabi Alonso could ultimately opt for a defense of four and not a three -piston system.
If this is the case, Federico Valverde and Aurélien Tchouamed would be the two pivots in the midfield. Bellingham would then be exiled on the left side. Rodrygo (or Güler) on the right and the duo Mbappé-Vinicius Jr to lead the attack. On the left, the Englishman does not have the winger profile, even if he is able to project himself forward. Will Alonso ask him to lend a hand to the attackers or to come back to help in the community? Xabi Alonso may bring us a first element of response during the Club World Cup, but once again, Jude Bellingham may have to play Swiss knives. But he who says he is an absolute fan of Zinedine Zidane – the Englishman also carries 5 in tribute to ZZ – will remember that the Frenchman has also evolved on the left flank at Real Madrid. And that it worked rather well …
