Twenty3’s Tactics Truck: Why Bellingham is central to Real’s changing of the guard
Jude Bellingham was one of the most highly sought after assets on the transfer market this summer – and Real Madrid emerged victorious in the race for his signature.
The 19-year-old joins a talented, young midfield group including Aurélien Tchouaméni, Eduardo Camavinga and Federico Valverde at the Santiago Bernabeu.
He will also get the chance to play alongside two of Los Blancos’ longest-serving players in Toni Kroos and Luka Modric – who have both signed one-year extensions.
We used the Twenty3 Toolbox to assess the impact Bellingham could have amidst the changing of the guard in the Spanish capital.
All-action midfielder
Bellingham is a dynamic, all-action midfielder, who is extremely capable both in and out of possession.
He is fluid on the ball and frequently jinks past defenders with his quick feet – he completed the third-most dribbles in Bundesliga last term for Borussia Dortmund (112).
The Stourbridge native also completed 215 final third passes, demonstrating his capacity to build patient attacks – an important skill in a side that looks to dominate the ball, as Real do.
Bellingham does not only keep things ticking over, however, and frequently looks to conjure up chances – completing 21 through-balls and registering four assists.
He also carries a goal threat, having taken 62 shots – more than Timo Werner and Sadio Mané, for context – and scoring eight times.
What makes the 19-year-old so remarkable is his ability to pair significant defensive contribution with his elite attacking qualities.
He works hard to win possession back, making 220 ball recoveries – 119 of which came in the opposition’s half – and winning 113 of his 182 defensive duels.
It is no wonder that Los Blancos spent big to bring the Englishman to the Spanish capital from Germany.
Carlo’s conundrum
Bellingham cemented a starting spot at Birmingham City at 16 before joining Dortmund in the summer of 2020 – and he had earned himself a regular place by the end of his first season in Germany.
However, with Ballon d’Or winner Modric and World Cup winner Kroos among the members of a stacked midfield, head coach Carlo Ancelotti is faced with a conundrum.
The veterans’ presence saw Valverde deployed on the right wing, while Camavinga was also forced to cover at left-back following Ferland Mendy’s injury – the former in particular impressed in his new role, registering seven goals and three assists while providing defensive security on the flank, evidenced by his 88 interceptions.
It is entirely possible the Italian manager continues to use the pair in this way in 2023-24, as Bellingham’s arrival further increases the competition for central midfield starting berths.
Tchouaméni is more likely to be spared, having replaced Casemiro as the deepest midfielder of the three – a role Bellingham is unlikely to play on a regular basis.
The Frenchman’s duties are primarily to screen the back four and provide a platform from which the side can build their attacks – he ranked inside LaLiga’s top 10 for passes received (1,321), passes made (1,553) and dangerous ball recoveries in the opponent’s half (18).
There is also a seventh midfielder to consider – Dani Ceballos, who featured heavily last term – playing 1,686 minutes of LaLiga football – and was recently awarded a new contract, indicating that Ancelotti believes he still has an important role to play.
No place in the Real Madrid midfield is guaranteed – but you would back Bellingham to make himself indispensable sooner or later.
Preparing for life after Kroos and Modric
When Kroos and Modric eventually depart, the future of Madrid’s midfield looks to be safe in the hands of Bellingham, Valverde, Camavinga and Tchouaméni.
However, Los Blancos will be keen to maintain the strength in depth they have accumulated and may well have already begun their search for further future additions to support that quartet.
A player that the Twenty3 Discover tool has identified as an option is Turkey’s Arda Güler, who has drawn praise from a former Real Madrid star in Mesut Özil.
When quizzed about up-and-coming talents, he said: “Is there a number 10 better than me?
“I can think of a name, I have a brother that I believe in, may God protect him – his name is Arda Güler.”
In 1,047 minutes of Turkish Süper Lig football, Güler registered four goals and three assists.
He is a different type of player to any of the young quartet already at Madrid, profiling as a more advanced midfielder – although, like Valverde, he has spent plenty of time on the right flank.
The Altındağ native led the league for shots assisted per 90 (2.66) whilst also completing 0.86 key passes and 0.77 through-balls per game on average.
He would add yet another dimension to the talented core of midfielders at the Bernabeu and could be part of what looks set to be an exciting new era in Madrid.
All visualisations and Smart Reports in this article were produced with the Twenty3 Toolbox. For more information, please get in touch below.