- 17 hours ago
Ancelotti: What Mbappe’s Real Madrid move means for Bellingham
Robin Bairner
- 5 Aug 2024 12:30 BST
- 3 min read
Kylian Mbappe’s summer transfer to Real Madrid could have a profound impact on Jude Bellingham’s role with Los Blancos, and Carlo Ancelotti has now revealed how he plans to use the England midfielder following the arrival of the France star on a free transfer from PSG.
Mbappe has not yet hooked up with his new colleagues, missing the 2-1 Clasico loss to Barcelona in a friendly over the weekend. Nevertheless, the absence of the 25-year-old has only increased speculation of how he might be used and how Ancelotti will seek to get the best out of him and Bellingham.
The 21-year-old England star, after all, exploded onto the scene at the Bernabeu last season, scoring 23 goals and setting up 13 more after a €103 million move from Borussia Dortmund.
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Compared
Kylian Mbappé
F (CL)
Real Madrid
Kylian Mbappé
F (CL)
Real Madrid
VS
Jude Bellingham
AM, M (C)
Real Madrid
Jude Bellingham
AM, M (C)
Real Madrid
|
|
ETV |
|
| €115.3M - €192.1M | ETV Range | €108.9M - €181.5M |
| 25 years old (20 Dec, 1998) | Age | 21 years old (29 Jun, 2003) |
|
France
|
Nationality |
England
|
Bellingham was used in an advanced midfield role, and there has been some concern that the arrival of Mbappe could stand on his toes.
Ancelotti, though, has dismissed those claims and says the former Birmingham City youth will be used just as he has always been.
“Nothing changes for him. Nothing changes,” the Italian said.
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“The first season, he surprised a lot, because he showed fantastic quality, a really mature guy. The next season will not be different.
“He is going to be one of the best players that we have, supporting a lot the team with his quality.”
Ancelotti defends Bellingham
Ancelotti also dismissed claims that Bellingham had a poor Euro 2024 following criticism of his performances in some quarters.
“This is an opinion but Bellingham played really well at the Euros,” Ancelotti added.
“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.”
Mbappe, meanwhile, is expected to make his Real Madrid debut in the European Super Cup, in which Los Blancos will face Atalanta on 14 August in Warsaw.
