Jude Bellingham thriving as Mourinho gives Real Madrid star greater attacking freedom

Spain, Community of Madrid: Jude Bellingham has rediscovered his attacking spark as Jose Mourinho’s Real Madrid system gives him greater freedom

Jude Bellingham has started the new season looking like a player determined to remind football supporters why he was once considered among Europe’s brightest young stars, producing two goals and three assists as Real Madrid won their opening three matches.

The England international’s performances have immediately attracted attention, particularly because of the freedom he has been given under returning manager Jose Mourinho, whose tactical approach has placed Bellingham higher up the pitch and closer to the areas where he can influence games.

That adjustment has brought back memories of Bellingham’s extraordinary debut campaign at the Bernabeu during the 2023-24 season, when he scored 23 goals and played a major role in Real Madrid winning both La Liga and the Champions League.

His performances over the following two campaigns were less consistent, however, with a deeper midfield role and recurring fitness problems limiting his attacking influence. A long-standing shoulder problem required surgery in 2025, while a hamstring injury sidelined him for 10 matches in 2026.

Now, Bellingham appears to have returned at peak fitness and confidence, providing Real Madrid with another attacking weapon while building on the impressive form he demonstrated for England at the World Cup before returning to club football this summer.

Mourinho, who has returned to Madrid for a second spell, has made reducing Bellingham’s defensive workload one of his early tactical priorities, believing the midfielder’s exceptional attacking qualities should not be compromised by excessive defensive responsibilities.

After Real Madrid’s 4-0 La Liga victory over Malaga, Mourinho explained that Bellingham had previously been asked to cover too much ground defensively, sometimes operating almost like an additional full-back rather than an attacking midfielder.

“We’ve organised the team differently,” Mourinho said, explaining his decision. “Bellingham sometimes defended like a second left-back last season. I told him I do not want to see that anymore. I made a deal with him.”

The Portuguese manager has primarily deployed Bellingham as a number 10 within a 4-2-3-1 formation, positioning him behind French striker Kylian Mbappe while allowing the midfielder considerable freedom to drift across the attacking line.

That role has given Bellingham a much clearer tactical responsibility. Instead of constantly moving between midfield, defence and attack, he can concentrate more heavily on receiving possession between the lines and creating opportunities near the opposition penalty area.

“For me, this is his position,” Mourinho said. “With his connection with the forwards, he can score goals. He has to play close to the goal. Playing at number six or number eight, we’re losing his closeness to the goal.”

The tactical change allows Bellingham to receive passes between defensive and midfield lines, carry possession forward, combine with attackers and make the late runs into the penalty area that became such an important feature of his breakthrough campaign.

His responsibilities have not disappeared defensively, but the location of that work has changed. Mourinho still expects the midfielder to press opponents and recover possession, only now Bellingham can begin those movements higher up the pitch.

That positioning becomes particularly important when Real Madrid recover possession. Bellingham is already close to Mbappe and Vinicius Jr, meaning he can immediately combine with the forwards instead of making a long journey from deep midfield before becoming involved.

Mourinho has also emphasised that Real Madrid’s attacking stars must operate collectively rather than becoming isolated individuals. His philosophy is designed around creating a connected attacking structure where every player contributes to the team’s overall movement and pressing.

“The team dynamic is about 11, not 2+9,” Mourinho said, underlining his belief that Real Madrid cannot simply depend on a handful of expensive attacking players while the remaining members of the team perform supporting roles.

Bellingham himself appears enthusiastic about the tactical transformation. Speaking to Real Madrid television, he explained that he now feels more comfortable deciding when to drop into midfield, remain forward or attack the penalty area.

“I feel more free to decide when to drop back, when to stay up or when to get into the box,” Bellingham said. “I think this is the best position for me.” His comments reflect the confidence Mourinho has restored.

The relationship between player and manager also appears to have developed quickly. Bellingham has described working with Mourinho as a dream, despite having previously met the experienced Portuguese coach only once before his appointment at Real Madrid.

Mourinho has reciprocated that enthusiasm, repeatedly describing Bellingham as a unique and extremely important player. The manager has highlighted his physical strength, mentality, tactical intelligence, pressing ability and capacity to contribute at both ends of the pitch.

The Real Madrid manager has even suggested that Bellingham should be considered among the players capable of competing for the Ballon d’Or, a remarkable endorsement considering the midfielder’s inconsistent injury-affected campaigns immediately preceding the current season.

Bellingham’s international performances have also influenced Mourinho’s thinking. The manager has pointed towards Thomas Tuchel’s use of the midfielder at the World Cup, where Bellingham’s attacking qualities were given greater prominence and he emerged as one of England’s standout performers.

During the tournament, Bellingham recorded seven goals and one assist across eight appearances, demonstrating the kind of attacking production Mourinho now wants to encourage at club level by positioning him closer to the forwards.

The timing of Bellingham’s resurgence is particularly significant because he joined Real Madrid’s preparations later than many teammates after his international commitments. Despite having less preparation time, he has quickly adapted to Mourinho’s system and delivered impressive early performances.

Real Madrid have also made an encouraging start collectively, winning their first three league matches while scoring 10 goals and conceding only two. Although those numbers represent a small sample, they provide an early indication of the team’s attacking potential.

There will inevitably be tougher tests as the campaign develops, particularly once Champions League commitments increase the demands placed on the squad. Bellingham will also have to maintain his fitness after previous seasons were disrupted by significant injuries.

For now, however, the midfielder appears to be enjoying football again. His ability to influence almost every area of a match remains one of his greatest strengths, but Mourinho’s system could help him concentrate that influence where it matters most.

“I’m having a lot of fun, I’m really enjoying my football, and that’s why I’m performing well,” Bellingham told Real Madrid’s club media, offering perhaps the clearest indication yet that his confidence has returned alongside his physical condition.

If Bellingham continues performing at this level, Mourinho’s tactical decision could prove crucial to Real Madrid’s ambitions this season. By reducing unnecessary defensive demands and moving him closer to goal, the manager may have unlocked the midfielder’s most dangerous qualities.

The challenge now will be maintaining that level across an entire campaign. Real Madrid’s schedule will become increasingly demanding, but an in-form Bellingham operating behind Mbappe and alongside Vinicius could provide Mourinho with one of Europe’s most dangerous attacking combinations.

For Bellingham, this season represents an opportunity to move beyond the setbacks of recent campaigns and once again establish himself among football’s elite. With greater freedom, improved fitness and Mourinho’s confidence, the midfielder appears ready for another defining chapter.

 

This article was created using automation technology and was thoroughly edited and fact-checked by one of our editorial staff members