Bellingham willing to adapt to new Madrid position

Jude Bellingham feels he is most effective playing further forward but is prepared to accommodate his big-name Real Madrid team-mates by playing a withdrawn role.

Bellingham was a key player as Madrid won LaLiga and the Champions League last season, scoring 23 goals and providing 13 assists while playing predominantly as a false nine.

Following the exit of Karim Benzema, Madrid fielded Bellingham at the tip of a midfield diamond with Rodrygo and Vinicius Junior acting as split strikers.

However, Bellingham has dropped deeper this season following the arrival of Kylian Mbappe from Paris Saint-Germain, playing just 3% of his minutes as a striker or attacking midfielder, with 50% coming in central midfield and 35% off the left flank.

In 2023-24, Bellingham played 69% of his minutes in the most advanced midfield role and 7% as a traditional striker.

Speaking ahead of Wednesday's Champions League clash with Liverpool, Bellingham insisted he is happy to play any role if it contributes to positive results for Los Blancos.

"It's been like any other adaptation," Bellingham told reporters on Tuesday.

"It changes the dynamic, the style of play and the approach, but I've shown that I can play in different positions. I prefer a bit more up front, but it's not important to me.

"I'm willing to play wherever they put me and I'm not affected by the position. We always set the team up to win. 

"I joined last summer and the club lost Benzema, one of its best players. There was a gap and it was a way to compensate for this lack of goals. 

"This year we have signed one of the best players of this generation, who has scored an unbelievable amount of goals. My role is going to change and I'm totally willing to do that."

Bellingham's goal in Sunday's 3-0 win over Leganes in LaLiga was just his second in all competitions this season, though only Vinicius (six) has bettered his four assists for Madrid.

After travelling to Anfield for their fifth Champions League group-phase game, Madrid host Getafe in LaLiga this weekend.