- Mbappe set to arrive in the summer
- Bellingham may have to play deeper
- Will have more responsibility in midfield
WHAT HAPPENED?
The 20-year-old midfielder has enjoyed a stunning debut season, tallying 23 goals and 12 assists in 40 appearances, and played a pivotal role in Real Madrid’s La Liga triumph and their journey to the Champions League final. Despite his impressive performances, Bellingham may find himself adjusting to a new role to make room for Mbappe, whose long-awaited move to Real Madrid from Paris Saint-Germain is imminent, which could herald a new era of Galacticos at the club.
THE BIGGER PICTURE
According to Marca, Ancelotti is considering using Bellingham in a deeper position at the centre of the park. Throughout the current season, the Italian has deployed Bellingham in various positions, often featuring him on the left side or as a false nine, granting him the freedom to roam in the final third – which has unlocked the English international’s goal scoring abilities.
DID YOU KNOW?
Ancelotti sees Bellingham as capable of shouldering additional defensive responsibilities while maintaining his versatility as a total footballer. The manager is known for his ability to convince players to embrace new roles, as seen with Camavinga playing as a left-back or Tchouameni being deployed as a centre-back. He is clear that Bellingham’s primary objective isn’t solely scoring goals. While his prolific goalscoring form has helped Madrid cope superbly following the departure of Karim Benzema, Ancelotti envisions him reverting to a more natural midfield role next season to address the evolving needs and dynamics of the squad
WHAT NEXT?
Bellingham’s innate talent and versatility make him a valuable asset for Real Madrid. His quality in front of goal has been crucial in steering the team to success at crucial junctures this season. However, with the arrival of Mbappe, Ancelotti seemingly wants him to take on the role of a midfield general and dictate the tempo of the match. Now, it remains to be seen how the 20-year-old adapts to his new role in the upcoming campaign.
