Jude Bellingham has credited manager José Mourinho for his impressive start at Real Madrid, highlighting the tactical freedom he has been given. The England international opened the scoring in Real Madrid’s dominant 4-0 victory over Malaga, a result that marked the club’s third consecutive win in La Liga.
Bellingham’s goal against Malaga, a low shot from the right in the 19th minute, set the tone for the match. He also played a role in the second goal, with his header proving too much for the Malaga defence. This performance adds to his tally of two goals and two assists across Real Madrid’s opening three La Liga fixtures, meaning he has been directly involved in five of the team’s early goals under Mourinho.
Bellingham’s Impact Under Mourinho
Speaking after the Malaga match, Bellingham explained his role under the new manager. “Now I’m a bit more free, with the freedom to move further up, and drop deep if we need it. I’m enjoying it a lot. That’s why I’m playing well,” he told Real Madrid TV. This newfound liberty appears to be a key factor in his seamless integration and immediate impact at the Bernabéu.
Mourinho himself was full of praise for the midfielder, describing Bellingham as an “absolutely incredible player” following the win. The manager’s comments underline the central role the England international has quickly assumed within the squad.
Tactical Freedom and Manager’s Vision
Mourinho was also clear about his expectations for Bellingham, stating he does not want to see him playing as a “second left-back.” This instruction follows an instance where Benfica reportedly exploited Bellingham dropping deep on the left during a Champions League encounter. Mourinho emphasised that Bellingham understands his role and feels comfortable executing it.
The Real Madrid coach also lauded the developing understanding between Bellingham, Kylian Mbappé, and Vinicius Junior. He dismissed suggestions that the trio might be incompatible, noting that “very good players want to play together.”
Despite the comprehensive victory, Bellingham expressed some dissatisfaction with the team’s performance in the latter stages of the Malaga game. “It was a great game, but the last 20 minutes were really bad, really bad,” he commented. “I don’t know why, we weren’t good.”
Bellingham received a standing ovation from the Bernabéu crowd when he was substituted in the 87th minute, an experience he described as “very special, always” and an “honour to play for this club, at this stadium.”
Looking Ahead
Real Madrid’s unbeaten start to the season will face a sterner test with the upcoming Champions League group stage opener against Inter Milan. Mourinho made five changes for the Malaga game, bringing in players like Eduardo Camavinga, Marc Cucurella, Trent Alexander-Arnold, Antonio Rudiger, and Brahim Diaz, highlighting the squad depth available. The sustainability of Bellingham’s free role and the team’s ability to maintain focus for the full 90 minutes will be crucial as the fixtures intensify.