Jude Bellingham Exposes Carlo Ancelotti from England

Jude Bellingham, called up for England’s recent FIFA international break, delivered two stellar performances. Despite facing challenges at Real Madrid this season, the English midfielder has shown that Carlo Ancelotti is failing to provide the right conditions for him to shine.

Having arrived in Madrid last season, Bellingham made an immediate impact. Widely regarded as the rightful successor to Zinedine Zidane, he helped lead the team with around 20 goals and numerous assists. As a key player in Real Madrid’s phenomenal season last year, the 21-year-old was expected to build on his success this year under Ancelotti.

Ancelotti’s Struggles with Bellingham’s Role

While Bellingham continues to give his all in every match for Real Madrid this season, he has struggled to find the back of the net. After being repositioned in a central role, Bellingham has been affected by the arrival of Kylian Mbappé. Tasked with doing more of the hard work—running and defending in place of the two forwards—Bellingham has not been able to get into the attacking positions he was previously in.

Although recent tactical adjustments have allowed him to play as a number 9, a role usually occupied by Mbappé, Bellingham has yet to be used to his full potential as a playmaker. He finally scored his first goal of the season against Osasuna in the latest round of La Liga. The English international then represented his country during the most recent international break.

Impressive Performances with England

Bellingham’s performances for England, however, have been exceptional. Playing in the midfield for the Three Lions under coach Lee Carsley, he has impressed with his energy and vision. Against Greece in the Nations League, he scored a brilliant solo goal—though credited to the Greek goalkeeper, the effort was all Bellingham’s. He also had a major impact in England’s 3-0 victory. Praised by the British press after the match, Bellingham confirmed his form with another outstanding display against Ireland, where he was named man of the match. He opened the scoring with a penalty won by Harry Kane, before assisting two more goals in a 5-0 win. At just 21 years old, Bellingham has been directly involved in 105 goals (goals and assists) at club and international level.

Pressure on Ancelotti’s Shoulders

Bellingham returns to Madrid full of confidence after his international exploits. Now, it’s crucial for Ancelotti to find the right way to use the English midfielder, who has much more to offer. Rather than sticking to a system that doesn’t allow the team to perform at its best, Ancelotti should consider integrating players like Bellingham and Arda Güler, who also impressed with Turkey.

With important matches ahead—particularly the upcoming Champions League clash against Liverpool—Real Madrid fans are hoping to see an attacking side in which Bellingham, Vinícius, and Mbappé can thrive. It’s now up to Carlo Ancelotti to find a way to make it work.