​Jose Mourinho is already shifting his focus to pre-season, and he does so buoyed by the form his players showcased at the World Cup, with Jude Bellingham standing out above the rest. According to Diario AS, the Real Madrid boss is eager to begin working closely with the England midfielder, whom he views as a potential cornerstone of his side’s midfield for the pivotal campaign ahead. Mourinho is genuinely excited to have Bellingham available for selection, a sentiment echoed by the club’s official materials that highlight the midfielder’s burgeoning influence.
Bellingham arrived at the World Cup in sensational form, accumulating six goals, one assist, and four MVP awards across five matches. His latest exploits saw him join the ranks of football’s legends by scoring back-to-back braces in the knockout rounds, a feat that placed him alongside Pelé in the record books. These displays have rekindled memories of his remarkable first season at the Bernabéu, and there is real enthusiasm within Real Madrid about the prospect of the Englishman returning to action in peak physical condition after two seasons hampered by a shoulder injury.
Last season proved challenging for Bellingham. With Real Madrid lacking a genuine playmaker, he was asked to operate in a deeper role, a move that tempered his goal-scoring output and prevented him from making those marauding runs into the box that are among his most potent strengths. Nevertheless, his quality has not gone unnoticed in the football world, with peers such as Morgan Rogers singing his praises for his performances in high-pressure moments.
Bellingham has already netted six goals at the World Cup, underscoring his continued impact on the biggest stages. His skill set dovetails perfectly with the attacking midfield role that has long been central to Mourinho’s preferred 4-2-3-1 system. The Portuguese coach has a storied history of assembling teams around a dynamic number 10, from Deco at Porto and Sneijder at Inter to the Cristiano Ronaldo–Ozil connection during his early Real Madrid days, and more recently Dybala at Roma. Bellingham’s blend of physicality, energy, and goal threat makes him a natural fit for the role.
With two seasons without major silverware, Mourinho understands that unlocking the very best version of Bellingham could be the decisive factor in Real Madrid’s bid to challenge for every trophy next season. If Mourinho can optimize Bellingham’s strengths—his athleticism, intelligence, and goal threat—the English midfielder could become a driving force in Madrid’s attack, offering creativity, drive, and a relentless work ethic that elevates the entire team.
As Real Madrid head into the next campaign, the pairing of Mourinho’s tactical acumen with Bellingham’s dynamic skill set promises to be a defining storyline. The plan appears clear: nurture Bellingham’s development through a carefully calibrated pre-season, reintegrate him into the midfield’s engine room, and unleash a more complete, fitter, and more dangerous version of the player who has already proven his worth on football’s biggest stages. If everything falls into place, Bellingham could be the catalyst Real Madrid need to reclaim domestic glory and reassert themselves in Europe, signaling a new era under Mourinho anchored by a midfield maestro in the making.