How Mbappe is KILLING Bellingham at Real Madrid

Tom Weber

Updated: 21 Oct 2024 14:20 BST
3 min read

Jude Bellingham, Kylian Mbappe, Real Madrid, 2024/25 — © IMAGO

Jude Bellingham is struggling to recapture his amazing form from last season in part due to Kylian Mbappe's presence at Real Madrid.

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The Englishman, signed for a whopping €103 million in the summer of 2023, enjoyed a dazzling debut campaign at the Santiago Bernabeu, netting 23 goals in an attacking midfield role that had hitherto been completely unfamiliar to him.

It was always going to be difficult for the 21-year-old to keep up this form and this has come to pass. Prior to the season, when Real Madrid announced the signing of Kylian Mbappe, there were fears that the French megastar would curtail Bellingham's attacking influence and those fears were well-founded.

Due to Mbappe's presence in the striker position, Bellingham has had to operate deeper than last term and this has seen his influence on Real Madrid's game wane. To be sure, he is still an eminently important part of Carlo Ancelotti's side, but his attacking output has dropped off massively.

Bellingham worries in Spain

As pointed out by MARCA, Bellingham's tally already stood at 10 goals at this point last season. This term, however, he has yet to find the back of the net at all for Real Madrid.

Los Blancos have struggled to find their mojo this season without Toni Kroos in midfield and with Mbappe leading the line. Blowout victories have become a rarity, with the European champions now having to work hard to get three points.

On Sunday, Real prevailed 2-1 over Celta Vigo in a game overshadowed by Bellingham losing his temper at teammate Vinicius Jr for refusing to pass the ball to him for an easy goal.

Bellingham is growing increasingly frustrated with his waning influence and lack of attacking output, having been 'eclipsed' by Mbappe, as the above-mentioned report puts it.

The Three Lions midfielder is beginning to worry the Real Madrid faithful and Ancelotti will have to figure out a way to unlock Bellingham's potential if he wants his side to look more like the free-flowing, nearly unbeatable behemoth that we saw last season.