Real Madrid boss Carlo Ancelotti has responded to rumours that Jude Bellingham would be moved back deeper into midfield away from his advanced role in order to accommodate new superstar signing Kylian Mbappe. The Italian said that “nothing changes” with regard to his team’s set-up, no matter what Mbappe’s stature may be. Madrid face Chelsea in the final game of their US tour on Saturday.
ude Bellingham of Real Madrid CF biting his medal after the UEFA Champions League Final 2023/24 match between Borussia Dortmund and Real Madrid.
Real Madrid manager Carlo Ancelotti has assured Jude Bellingham that his role in the team will not change despite Kylian Mbappe’s move to the Bernabeu.
Bellingham, who arrived in the Spanish capital last summer from Borussia Dortmund, played mostly as a No. 10 or false nine in his first term in La Liga, scoring 23 goals in 42 games.
The England midfielder then played as a No. 10 during the Three Lions’ Euro 2024 campaign, where they were beaten in the final by Spain 2-1.
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The 21-year-old enjoyed a memorable debut season in the Spanish capital as Madrid sealed the La Liga and UEFA Champions League double.
However, there is now a new Galactico signing, with Mbappe arriving on a free transfer from Paris Saint-Germain to enormous fanfare, as one of football’s longest transfer sagas is finally over.
The 25-year-old has been handed the No. 9 jersey at Madrid, who had struggled to truly replace Karim Benzema after Mbappe’s compatriot moved to Saudi Arabia at the start of last season.
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Ancelotti, the five-time Champions League winner, said that “nothing changes” for Mbappe, despite his superstar status, and that won’t mean Bellingham moving back into a deeper midfield position to accommodate the Frenchman.
“The first season, [Bellingaham] surprised a lot, because he showed fantastic quality; a really mature guy,” Ancelotti said. “The next season will not be different.
“He is going to be one of the best players that we have, supporting the team a lot with his quality.”
Bellingham’s performances on international duty at Euro 2024 were scrutinised by many as England failed to truly excite, but Ancelotti believes that his player performed well.
“This is an opinion but Bellingham played really well at the Euros,” the Italian said.
“England played really well, they reached the final and were close to winning it. I don’t know how the players are tired for the game.
“The most important players are used to playing every three days, they manage that really well and arrive at the end of the season without any problems.”
Ancelotti also called for Chelsea’s owners to have patience with new manager Enzo Maresca’s project, with the Italian recently arriving in the Stamford Bridge dugout from Leicester City.
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Ancelotti also quashed rumours that he would re-sign goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga, who he had on loan last season from the west London outfit.
It is a place Ancelotti knows well, having managed the Blues between 2009 and 2011.
Madrid face Chelsea at the Bank of America stadium in Charlotte on Tuesday.
“[Chelsea’s owners] invested a lot,” Ancelotti said.
“They have a good squad, good players, young. They have a young manager. They need to be a little bit patient, the owners, to take experience, to grow. But the signings that they have [made] are really good.
“We love [Kepa]. We love him but in that position, we are covered.”
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Source: Tampa Bay Times
