Jude Bellingham and the goal drought at Real Madrid

The arrival of Kylian Mbappe seems to have inadvertently taken away Jude Bellingham’s place in the team this season.

The 2024/25 season is witnessing a completely different Jude Bellingham compared to his explosive image last season for Real Madrid. Having scored 23 goals and assisted 13 times in the 2023/24 campaign, the English midfielder has now only scored 1 goal and assisted 4 times after many months of playing.

The obvious difference lies in the way coach Carlo Ancelotti uses Bellingham this season. Instead of being free to advance and frequently appearing in the penalty area, he is assigned to play deeper, significantly reducing the number of opportunities to approach the opponent’s goal. Bellingham himself admitted that the change in role has limited his ability to directly contribute to the attacking front.

Many critics have argued that Bellingham’s individual form has also declined. The statistics cannot deny the gap between the two seasons. In addition, the widespread injury situation in the Real Madrid squad, along with Mbappe’s unconvincing form, has weakened the attacking power of the Royal team.

Bellingham’s decline not only affects him personally but also damages Real Madrid’s overall playing style. Last season, Bellingham was the main striker, playing a decisive role in important moments. Currently, his ineffectiveness makes it difficult for Real Madrid to launch attacks.

However, the performance against Osasuna may open up new hope. In this match, Bellingham scored a beautiful goal and had another assist. He completed 44/47 passes, won 4 duels, created 2 chances and successfully dribbled 3 times. These impressive statistics show a certain improvement.

Carlo Ancelotti, who is in charge of shaping the tactics, will have to find a way to get Bellingham back on track. This is not only necessary to restore his personal form but also to help Real Madrid regain its inherent strength.

With his talent and dedication, Bellingham is still one of the most important pillars of the team. However, to return to the top as last season, he needs the right support from the coach and teammates, as well as the ability to adapt quickly to the new role. Real Madrid fans hope that this goal drought is only temporary and Bellingham will soon bring the team back in the race with Barca in La Liga.