Bellingham is controversial.

Real Madrid is facing a difficult dilemma regarding Jude Bellingham.

When Real Madrid spent over 100 million euros to bring Jude Bellingham to the Bernabeu, the whole world knew the Spanish giants were betting on an exceptional talent. What few expected was that after just over a season, the question of the English midfielder's ideal position would become a hot topic in tactical meetings.

The scoring storm has passed, but the thirst for goals has cooled.

Remember Bellingham's first season, when he scored 23 goals, becoming the most feared goalscoring midfielder in Europe. "Belligol" was the nickname fans gave Bellingham – a pleasant surprise considering he wasn't known for his goalscoring ability. That season, the former Borussia Dortmund star played as a pure attacking midfielder, with the freedom to move and make runs into the opponent's penalty area like a true killer.

However, time has turned. This season, with many changes in the squad and tactics, Bellingham has gradually shifted to a new role - a left-wing playmaker. His goal-scoring ability has decreased, but his contribution to the team's overall play has increased. This is a different version of Bellingham, no longer "Bellisol" but a "Bellisist" - a playmaker.

This change was not without reason. With the team having to switch tactical formations after welcoming Kylian Mbappe, Real Madrid needed a Bellingham who could link the midfield and attack, rather than one who only knew how to penetrate the opponent's penalty area.

Bellingham is no longer as explosive as he was in his first season with Real Madrid.

If the rumors about Xabi Alonso taking over the "hot seat" at Bernabeu are true, the Spanish strategist will face one of the most difficult decisions of his coaching career: how to utilize Bellingham?

Xabi Alonso is known for his clear and consistent football philosophy. At Bayer Leverkusen, he built a formidable team with a flexible three-man defense, switching to four when needed. But at Madrid, with a star-studded squad including Bellingham, Mbappe, Vinicius, Rodrygo, and Valverde, how will he arrange them all into a cohesive formation?

One possibility is that Real Madrid will switch to a four-man defensive formation, with Tchouameni and Valverde as the central anchors. This could push Bellingham further forward, but the question is: where will he play? The left wing – where Vinicius Junior is the undisputed king? A center forward – a position Mbappe might occupy? Or an attacking midfielder – where he shone last season but which could unbalance the midfield?

When a genius has to choose a role

Bellingham stands at a crossroads: return to his goal-scoring role as "Belligol," continue developing his creative abilities as an attacking midfielder, or find a balance between the two roles? This is not just a question of tactics, but also a question of the player's identity.

At Dortmund, Bellingham was a complete box-to-box midfielder. Upon arriving in Madrid, he transformed into a goal-scoring machine. Now, Bellingham is in the process of becoming a creative midfielder. For a player who is only 21 years old, such constant change could raise questions about his football identity: Who is Bellingham really on the pitch?

Mbappe's arrival has left Bellingham "unsettled" in Real Madrid's tactical system.

A recent dip in form could be a sign of a talent trying to rediscover himself. You can't shine just by playing in any position – that's a lesson many stars have to learn the hard way. Paul Pogba at Manchester United and Eden Hazard at Real Madrid are prime examples.

The arrival of Kylian Mbappe is not only a joy for Real Madrid fans but also a tactical challenge. The French star can play as a center forward or left winger, but his preferred position is clearly the left wing – where Vinicius Junior is currently making a big impact.

Deploying Mbappe as a central striker might be the solution, but it would mean Bellingham would struggle to return to his free-roaming attacking midfield role from last season. Alternatively, if Mbappe is deployed on the left wing, Vinicius might have to move to the right, forcing Bellingham to find a new position within the formation.

This tactical dilemma is not easy to solve, and it directly impacts Bellingham's future at Madrid. In modern football, there are players like Thomas Müller of Bayern Munich – who, despite not having a clearly defined position, always find space to shine. Can Bellingham become a similar version of him?

With his exceptional talent, Bellingham will undoubtedly continue to be an important part of Real Madrid's plans. However, to fully exploit the English midfielder's potential, Xabi Alonso or any coach who takes over Real Madrid will need a clear and unwavering decision.

Where Bellingham will play next season is a difficult question for Real Madrid.

Bellingham can't be both "Belligol" and "Bellisist" at the same time. He needs a defined role, a stable position to develop and perfect his skills. Football history is full of great talents wasted due to inconsistency in how they are used.

Real Madrid are facing a crucial decision: should they keep Bellingham in his first season as a goal-scoring attacking midfielder, or develop him into a versatile playmaker? The answer will not only shape Bellingham's future but also determine Real Madrid's long-term development strategy.

Perhaps the answer lies not in choosing one of the two roles, but in finding a new version of Bellingham – a midfielder who can balance goal-scoring ability and creativity, a player who can adapt to any situation on the pitch. That would be the greatest Bellingham of all time, a version worthy of the €100 million price tag and the fans' expectations.

The new season is fast approaching, and the debate over Bellingham is far from over. But one thing is certain: whatever position he plays, the young English midfielder remains one of the world's top talents, and Real Madrid will do everything they can to maximize that potential. The question is: how will they do it?

Source: https://znews.vn/bellingham-gay-tranh-cai-post1554597.html