“i-don’t-care-where-i-play”:-jude-bellingham-on-his-new-role-at-real-madrid“I don’t care where I play”: Jude Bellingham on his new role at Real Madrid
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By Alfredo Echenique Lugo

Aug 15, 2024, 10:26 AM EDT

On Wednesday at the National Stadium in Warsaw, Real Madrid won their first title of the season by beating Atalanta of Italy 2-0 in the final of the European Super Cup. Thus, the team managed by Carlo Ancelotti begins the campaign with a trophy in the bag.

This final will also be remembered for Kylian Mbappé’s official debut in the white jersey. The Frenchman was the team’s star signing this summer and arrives at Real Madrid as an offensive solution following the departure of Karim Benzema a couple of seasons ago.

However, Mbappé’s arrival meant that the coach made a slight change in the tactics he played. Perhaps the most active was Englishman Jude Bellingham, who last season had a more prominent role in attack.

With the presence of the French striker in the starting eleven, Belligham would play a little further back in the formation and without as much offensive responsibility. Something that he did do last season when he scored 19 goals in LaLiga alone.

Jude Bellingham celebrating Mbappé's first goal as a Real Madrid player.=80
Jude Bellingham celebrating Mbappé’s first goal as a Real Madrid player.
Credit: AP

But this change of role on the pitch does not seem to bother the young British player at all. After the European Super Cup final, he was asked about his move in the formation.

“I don’t care where I play. I wasn’t really a striker either. I’ve fallen a bit to the left and I’ve moved around that position,” explained the Real Madrid midfielder.

From what we saw in this first game of the season for Real Madrid, the coach seems to be playing with an attacking trident with Vinícius, Mbappé and Rodrygo. This would leave Bellingham a little behind with respect to his “playmaker” or “false 9” position from last season. However, being further away from the area and not scoring goals does not seem to bother the player.

“Football is fluid and depends on the team you are facing. I know it is easier to score goals if you are closer, but what makes me happy is helping the team,” Bellingham said.

With the European Super Cup in their pocket, Real Madrid will officially start this LaLiga match this Sunday against Mallorca as visitors. They are trying to defend the title they won last season.

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