Jude Bellingham hails Mourinho role that unlocked his best form
Jude Bellingham says Jose Mourinho's tactical shift at Real Madrid has given him freedom to roam again, unlocking the form that made him a Galáctico. After a dip to eight goals last season, the England midfielder has scored and assisted in La Liga's opening games, crediting Mourinho's trust and a role closer to the penalty area.
The turnaround matters because Madrid spent two seasons waiting for its star midfielder to resemble the player who scored 23 goals in 2023-24. Bellingham told Real Madrid's official media he feels "greater freedom again" to decide when to drop back, push forward, or make runs into the box.
Key Takeaways
- Bellingham credits Mourinho's trust and a roaming role near the penalty area for his early-season resurgence.
- He scored against Espanyol and supplied two assists against Real Sociedad in Madrid's opening La Liga games.
- Mourinho defines Bellingham as a number ten who must play close to the box, regardless of positional label.
- Improved fitness after vacation work has let Bellingham press, create, and finish at a higher physical level.
- Real Madrid now faces a congested schedule with the Champions League starting, and Bellingham wants momentum to carry through.
Why is Jude Bellingham playing his best football again?
After falling short of his own expectations across two campaigns, Bellingham has looked revitalised under newly appointed manager Mourinho. In his first Madrid season he tallied 23 goals and 13 assists; output dipped to 15 and 15 in 2024-25 before last year's eight-goal campaign mirrored wider team struggles.
Early 2026-27 returns suggest the slump is over. He headed in against Espanyol, then delivered a masterclass versus Real Sociedad with assists for Kylian Mbappé and Vinícius Júnior. AS reported he created four chances, completed three dribbles, won nine duels, and posted 95.2% passing accuracy in that match.
What role is Jose Mourinho giving Bellingham?
Mourinho has been explicit: "He can be a six or an eight, but his role is that of a ten. He has to play close to the penalty area because that is where he is a top player." Bellingham agrees, calling it "the best position for me, as it allows me to show all my abilities."
During preseason friendlies, Mourinho experimented with Arda Güler while signalling how he wanted Bellingham to operate—starting as an attacking midfielder but with licence to roam and create numerical advantages in the final third. That freedom, Bellingham said, removed previous constraints and let him dictate play more naturally.
How has Bellingham's fitness changed under Mourinho?
Physical preparation has been another pillar. Bellingham drew praise at Valdebebas for vacation training, and Mourinho highlighted a "different physical dimension" after the midfielder outlasted late-returning World Cup players such as Mikel Oyarzabal against Real Sociedad.
That conditioning lets him press like a predator, recover the ball—he won possession back before setting up Vinícius against Sociedad—and still have fuel late in games. His World Cup form, seven goals for England, has carried straight into club football.
Can Real Madrid sustain this momentum in Europe?
Bellingham is also pleased with how summer signings have settled under Mourinho, noting newcomers are adapting despite the pressure of a new coach and staff. He stressed that building momentum before the Champions League is "extremely important" as fixtures pile up.
For fans tracking how elite clubs blend tactical reinvention with squad turnover, this revival sits alongside broader stories in our Future Tech & AI Wonders coverage hub. Full match details and quotes are documented by Goal.com.