​While Real Madrid’s internal politics dominated headlines last season, the bottom line is that Los Blancos possess genuine quality throughout their squad. The World Cup performances of Kylian Mbappé, Vinícius Júnior and Jude Bellingham bear that out, as all three shone for their national teams. The challenge for Jose Mourinho is to translate that individual excellence into a cohesive, high-performing unit for Real Madrid. Chief among the tasks is getting Bellingham firing on all cylinders again after Carlo Ancelotti’s departure left him searching for the right footing.
According to Fabrizio Romano, as cited by Madrid Xtra, the new Real Madrid coach is highly regarded by Bellingham, and the feeling appears mutual, with a foundation for a strong, respectful relationship already in place. If Mourinho can harness Bellingham’s talents, the English youngster could be set to become a defining contributor in front of goal. The club’s mood is cautiously optimistic that Mourinho can guide the pair to develop a productive partnership on the pitch.
Bellingham’s first season with Real Madrid was a resounding success, as he was deployed as an attacking midfielder just behind the strikers. This arrangement allowed him to flourish in the final third, yielding impressive numbers. Since then, however, his role has shifted deeper, and the new position has not suited him as well. His World Cup performances as an attacking midfielder, though, underscored that the initial template was closer to his ideal role and provides a useful blueprint for Mourinho to maximise his impact.
England’s standouts at the World Cup, including Bellingham who has emerged as a key figure alongside Harry Kane, have highlighted the player’s capabilities on a global stage. The 23-year-old began the tournament by scoring in England’s opener against Croatia, followed by a goal and an assist in the group-stage win over Panama, and he earned man-of-the-match honours in all three group matches. In the knockout rounds, he delivered a standout display against Mexico, scoring twice in quick succession to shift momentum in England’s favour. While the clash with DR Congo was quieter, the overall contribution across the tournament confirmed Bellingham’s importance to the team.
Mourinho will undoubtedly be taking careful notes on where and how to position Bellingham to maximise his output, using the World Cup blueprint to inform his tactical plan. The expectation within Real Madrid is that the manager will cultivate a strong working relationship with the English midfielder, helping him replicate and sustain his peak form across domestic and European duties. If this partnership can be realized, Bellingham’s blend of creativity, goal threat and work rate could become a catalyst for both personal and team success, aligning the club’s internal dynamics with the high standards fans expect.