Two reasons why Real Madrid stalwart has struggled to score this season

Jude Bellingham’s performance against Barcelona left Real Madrid fans wanting more, as he struggled to have the same impact he had in previous matches.

The expectations from the Englishman were high given that last season, he caught the Barcelona defence off guard with his powerful attacking runs.

However, on Saturday, Carlo Ancelotti decided to place him in a more restrained role. While he was largely expected to play at his natural position, the midfielder was stationed on the right flank.

As it turns out, his job was to contain Alejandro Balde’s advances and reinforce the midfield defensively. Unfortunately, this more static role reduced his ability to make those unexpected offensive moves that had previously benefited the team.

Playing across multiple positions

This change in position is not a one-time occurrence for Bellingham under Ancelotti’s management.

Throughout the season, Ancelotti has consistently shifted Bellingham into various roles, trying him as a central midfielder, on the left side, or even deeper on the right, depending on the match’s needs.

This flexibility might have been intended to make the most of his versatility, but it has also affected Bellingham’s ability to establish himself as a steady offensive threat.

Against Barcelona, Ancelotti repeated this approach by assigning Bellingham to a defensive-oriented role on the right, especially since Rodrygo, who could have provided attacking support, was unavailable due to injury.

Bellingham still put in a solid shift, assisting Lucas Vazquez defensively, but he was unable to contribute significantly to Real Madrid’s offensive moves, focusing mainly on maintaining stability at the back.

The Kylian Mbappe effect

This season, Real Madrid have also brought in Kylian Mbappe, a star forward whose addition has led Ancelotti to restructure the team’s formation and tactics.

Last season, Bellingham thrived by arriving late into the box from deeper positions, often scoring in critical moments. With Rodrygo on the right last season, Bellingham had more room to push forward.

Now, Mbappe has taken over that space, and his playing style is different. Unlike Rodrygo, who moved to the right, Mbappe tends to hold a more central or slightly left-leaning position, limiting the spaces Bellingham used to exploit.

This shift has impacted Bellingham’s scoring ability; he has yet to score in any of his 11 appearances this season, whereas last season, he managed to net 10 goals in his first 11 matches.

Ancelotti’s tactical changes seem to be designed around accommodating Mbappe, which has subtly altered the overall dynamics of the team. Vinicius Jr. is one player whose role has remained consistent.

In comparison, Bellingham’s numbers have suffered. He has been moved around so frequently that he has not had a consistent opportunity to showcase the form he displayed last season.

Adding to the challenge, Mbappe’s presence on the pitch limits the chances for Bellingham to move into advanced positions. On several occasions, his runs forward have gone unnoticed by his teammates.

No permanent solution

Ancelotti’s tactical evolution has focused heavily on making room for Mbappe’s style of play, and while it has benefited some players like Vinicius, it has left Bellingham struggling to find his place to the extent that he only has three assists to his name; one of which came in the Super Cup.

As a midfielder known for his offensive potential, Bellingham’s effectiveness diminishes in roles that confine him primarily to defensive tasks.

Real Madrid now face the challenge of finding the right balance, allowing both Mbappe and Bellingham to thrive without sacrificing the qualities that make each player valuable.

For Bellingham to rediscover his form, Ancelotti may need to reassess how best to use his talents within Real Madrid’s current setup.