Jude Bellingham | Real Madrid player

[Joel Miller]

He's too PR trained sometimes. Gets a bit whiney on the field sometimes. Comes across as pompous sometimes, private school kid and all. Those could be the reasons I would guess.

Fake crying in his CL final post match interview was hilarious. Definitely loves to ham it up for the cameras.

 

[erikcred]

Funnily enough at 20 he still could be just out of his A Levels.

People act like these footballers should be 40 year old grown men and have no idea about how young these players mentality is.

Even bloody Rashford - at 26 everyone is talking about how he should be a much better version of themseleves when nearly everyone here at 26 probably never had a job and was living with their parents still.

You'd never had a job by 26 years of age?

 

[Cnaiür urs Skiötha]

Funnily enough at 20 he still could be just out of his A Levels.

People act like these footballers should be 40 year old grown men and have no idea about how young these players mentality is.

Even bloody Rashford - at 26 everyone is talking about how he should be a much better version of themseleves when nearly everyone here at 26 probably never had a job and was living with their parents still.

This is something I often think to myself. When talking about footballers in their mid twenties most people expect them to be fully grown and experienced men. I was a complete tool with that age.
It doesn’t help that they get told to have more in common with Jesus than Joe Average.
Also while it is understandable that you might not like some players it is a bit ridiculous to judge someone you have no clue about how he is a person because of the behavior on the pitch or some arrogant facial expressions.

 

[MrWilliams]

People act like these footballers should be 40 year old grown men and have no idea about how young these players mentality is.

This is something I often think to myself. When talking about footballers in their mid twenties most people expect them to be fully grown and experienced men. I was a complete tool with that age.

The decrying of footballers for having an edge or being somewhat “arrogant” never sat well with me.

This is top level professional football. I expect egos, aggression et al. It’s all a part of the game.

 

[giorno]

Only just saw the goal. Powerful, really smashed that defender out of the way.

I'd love to know the inside story - from his side - on why he decided against joining United.

Going by the athletic's story, essentially Murtough sabotaged you

 

[predator]

He's brilliant. We all know young English players get hyped up to feck but I think he merits the hype.

As an actual footballer there isn't anything in particular that stands out massively because he is just very good at pretty much everything from what I've seen. Tackling, interceptions, simple passing, Long range shooting, use of weaker foot, aerial ability, stamina, touch, finishing, positioning, vision. His goals for Madrid so far range from solo brilliance to being in the right position at the right time.

His mentality is equally as impressive. So young but so mature and well spoken whilst being polite and grounded.

 

[Fortitude]

His roaming yesterday was clearly tactical and intended to facilitate Foden, to absolutely no avail, as Foden struggled mightily to get into the game.and wasn’t doing well with interplay intended to progress both of them up the pitch in tandem. No Foden, and Bellingham isn’t roaming so much.

I think it’s become quite clear that people don’t know how to frame Bellingham and his game so are just likening to others, even if the shoe doesn’t fit.

Because he’s a proper hybrid player, labelling him and his game is considerably more difficult.

 

[RoyH1]

Physically and mentally he's so far above his age. A complete player. That said, I do think he's going to peak young and by the time he hits 30 he'll be past his prime.

 

[AjaxCunian]

He has such quick feet, and manipulates space so well. Amazing player, I'd prefer to watch him at a team less filled with superstars (Real Madrid).

 

[BeforeKeanetherewasRobson]

Only just saw the goal. Powerful, really smashed that defender out of the way.

I'd love to know the inside story - from his side - on why he decided against joining United.

Most I’ve read said it was the guaranteed game time

 

[RuudTom83]

Kinda helps that Real Madrid are members of the Moments FC group, Jude doesn't really need anyone else to be on their game, he can just do his thing regardless.

 

[stefan92]

Most I’ve read said it was the guaranteed game time

I've also seen mentioned that Dortmund offered more money. Which would make sense, United apparently offered him a "youth contract", while Dortmund offered him a clear "first team contract"

 

[Jed I. Knight]

His roaming yesterday was clearly tactical and intended to facilitate Foden, to absolutely no avail, as Foden struggled mightily to get into the game.and wasn’t doing well with interplay intended to progress both of them up the pitch in tandem. No Foden, and Bellingham isn’t roaming so much.

I think it’s become quite clear that people don’t know how to frame Bellingham and his game so are just likening to others, even if the shoe doesn’t fit.

Because he’s a proper hybrid player, labelling him and his game is considerably more difficult.

A few decades back, he'd slot right in as a libero.

 

[The Hilton]

I thought his performance was pretty mixed last night; he took the goal brilliantly, but after that his decision making was fairly poor, especially his dribbling - he lost the ball by running into into blind alleys more often than he retained possession.

 

[Pronewbie]

He's too PR trained sometimes. Gets a bit whiney on the field sometimes. Comes across as pompous sometimes, private school kid and all. Those could be the reasons I would guess.

This. But at the same time has the ability to back his arrogance and phoney vibe. Annoying.

 

[Ricardo de la Vega]

He's brilliant. We all know young English players get hyped up to feck but I think he merits the hype.

As an actual footballer there isn't anything in particular that stands out massively because he is just very good at pretty much everything from what I've seen. Tackling, interceptions, simple passing, Long range shooting, use of weaker foot, aerial ability, stamina, touch, finishing, positioning, vision. His goals for Madrid so far range from solo brilliance to being in the right position at the right time.

His mentality is equally as impressive. So young but so mature and well spoken whilst being polite and grounded.

Its his composure for me. No matter where he is on the pitch, under no matter what kind of pressure, he's willing to take the ball, his touch is perfect, he'll use a trick, a spin, or a body swerve to make some space for himself or lay off a pass where you think its impossible. He's just utterly brilliant maybe the best 20 year old I've ever seen in that position. Genuinely Zidane-like at the moment.

 

[Remember the geese]

Why?

I don't like his ego and arrogance. Sometimes he will elongate things when in possession. Take an extra few seconds on the ball after doing something well, almost to prolong the adulation he'll receive and emphasize how good he is. It doesn't help that the media/commentary team lap up every little thing that he does. As an example, the fawning yesterday over that 30 yard pass he made back into his own half was quite ridiculous. Rio was in awe of how Bellingham wasn't saying 'erm' a lot in his post match interview. I also don't like how he lacks respect for the opposition. Laughing in players faces etc. Yesterday, there was that completely stupid and unnecessary barge into a Serbian player off the ball. No idea what he was trying to achieve other than another display of 'I'm Billy big bollocks'. Should have been booked for that.

 

[flameinthesun]

If we are going to play both Foden and Jude then Jude should be played as a box to box midfielder with Foden in the 10. The England team really lacked technical players in the midfield yesterday with both Rice and Trent looking clumsy. Bellingham and Foden would allow us to play through tight midfields (if Southgate is to afraid to start Mainoo). Feels like trying to force these players into a team will be our undoing as has been with other talented generations.

 

[Zehner]

If we are going to play both Foden and Jude then Jude should be played as a box to box midfielder with Foden in the 10. The England team really lacked technical players in the midfield yesterday with both Rice and Trent looking clumsy. Bellingham and Foden would allow us to play through tight midfields (if Southgate is to afraid to start Mainoo). Feels like trying to force these players into a team will be our undoing as has been with other talented generations.

I think if you use a playmaking winger like Foden on the side of his strong foot, you need to create lots of movement around him because it will naturally be much more difficult for him to find passing lanes and opportunities to dribble. It works in the City setup but in the "throw good players on the pitch and see how they improvise" system of Southgate, that doesn't work out. Grealish, Sancho or Rashford could really do a job on the left when you move Bellingham back and Foden to the center. No idea why Southgate didn't even nominate one of them, the remaining right footed options look painfully average now.

 

[Grande]

I don't like his ego and arrogance. Sometimes he will elongate things when in possession. Take an extra few seconds on the ball after doing something well, almost to prolong the adulation he'll receive and emphasize how good he is. It doesn't help that the media/commentary team lap up every little thing that he does. As an example, the fawning yesterday over that 30 yard pass he made back into his own half was quite ridiculous. Rio was in awe of how Bellingham wasn't saying 'erm' a lot in his post match interview. I also don't like how he lacks respect for the opposition. Laughing in players faces etc. Yesterday, there was that completely stupid and unnecessary barge into a Serbian player off the ball. No idea what he was trying to achieve other than another display of 'I'm Billy big bollocks'. Should have been booked for that.

I get what you’re pointing at, and I would at least say it’s an imolrtant balance to find. Some arrogance can be helpful in the competition, but it must be, as with Cantona, matched with a die hard dedication to what helps the tram and what is effective. I see alot of that in his moves, but there are also times where I see the more egocentric stuff and the ineffective stuff. Extremists like Ronaldo, Messi, Zidane have had huge egoes, but it’s all about winning through the team and enhancig the teams chances of laurels. Maybe he needs help checking his motivitation to become the best he can, but tbh I though he was one of two players only vs Serbia constantly trying to creat things, trying to be effective and doing quite well at it, him and Rice.

 

[TheReligion]

When he inevitably comes back to England to play, where will he go?

 

[stefan92]

When he inevitably comes back to England to play, where will he go?

Why would he? Can easily see him becoming a true Real legend and follow the trajectory of Kroos (even including calling it a day relatively young, considering how young he started).

 

[Infra-red]

When he inevitably comes back to England to play, where will he go?

Difficult to say. His current contract with Madrid runs until summer 2029 but he'll still only be 25 years old at that stage (turns 26 on 29th June 2029) and will likely be at the peak of his abilities. He could just do a 10-year+ stint at Madrid - certainly appears good enough and he and his new teammate Mbappe could easily end up sharing the Ballon d'Or awards going forward for the next decade or so.

 

[Member 109952]

I think if you use a playmaking winger like Foden on the side of his strong foot, you need to create lots of movement around him because it will naturally be much more difficult for him to find passing lanes and opportunities to dribble. It works in the City setup but in the "throw good players on the pitch and see how they improvise" system of Southgate, that doesn't work out. Grealish, Sancho or Rashford could really do a job on the left when you move Bellingham back and Foden to the center. No idea why Southgate didn't even nominate one of them, the remaining right footed options look painfully average now.

Gordon is pretty good, certainly in better form right now than either Rashford or Sancho. Grealish definitely should've gone though. No real point taking Eze when he's barely played and is often injured for half the season.

 

[TheReligion]

Why would he? Can easily see him becoming a true Real legend and follow the trajectory of Kroos (even including calling it a day relatively young, considering how young he started).

I have a feeling he’ll want to play in the PL personally

 

[TheLord]

When he inevitably comes back to England to play, where will he go?

Which top Real Madrid has left Madrid in his prime? I cannot think of one player in decades. (excluding young/academy players)

Even the list of goodish players that Madrid let go and who later become great elsewhere is so short - Robben, Makelele,‌ and Seedorf come to mind. The allure of that club is so strong and absolutely unparalleled.

When the players are truly done and dusted, aged 30++, ala Ronaldo/Benzema/Kroos/Raul/Ramos, it doesn't really matter where they go, does it?

 

[TheLord]

I have a feeling he’ll want to play in the PL personally

No player will want to part ways with RM unless he has a reduced playing time (like Robben after Bale's arrival) or falls out with the management. In both cases, it is best avoid such players.

 

[Hughes35]

No player will want to part ways with RM unless he has a reduced playing time (like Robben after Bale's arrival) or falls out with the management. In both cases, it is best avoid such players.

You'd have avoided Robben after he left Madrid? He was brilliant !

It sounds nuts but I think there is a chance in 20 years time we talk about Jude in the same way we talk about Zidane. I think there is a lot of similarities in their game. Zidane moved from Cannes to Bordeaux at the age Jude is now.

Yea, I said it and I will embrace the inevitable abuse that comes with such a statement.

Obviously there is also a a chance he peaks at 21 and is done in his late twenties like Rooney but I think that's unlikely with him tbh.

 

[simplyared]

I've followed Zlatan's international career from when he made his debut in 2001, 20 yrs old and I can see a similar development taking place when I watched England v Serbia last night. It didn't take long before Zlatan was the key man for his country. Everything on the pitch went via him. Players were looking for him to pass to as he was the one who was going to win the game for them. He dominated in every department both on and off the pitch. With Bellingham I'm seeing a similar pattern. Reminds me of Zlatan's dominance but in an England shirt. Obviously as in Zlatan's case it isn't all positive for the team in general and there are warning signs. For example you can ask yourself - what was Foden's contribution to the game last night??
However with all that said Bellingham at 20 yrs old is a beast of a player with huge talent.

 

[Mike Smalling]

No player will want to part ways with RM unless he has a reduced playing time (like Robben after Bale's arrival) or falls out with the management. In both cases, it is best avoid such players.

There's plenty of precedent for getting Real Madrid rejects and making them a success. Ozil, Ødegaard, Sneijder, Robben, Van der Vaart, Kovacic.

 

[RoyH1]

When he inevitably comes back to England to play, where will he go?

If he comes back to play in the PL, Birmingham City is a good bet if they're back in the PL

I can see him in one of the big London clubs too.

 

[Borninthe80ts]

I have a feeling he’ll want to play in the PL personally

Me too, and I genuinely think he comes to United if where competing or in contention for the title. Hopefully when the first phase of rebuilding is coming to an end.

 

[kouroux]

Fake crying in his CL final post match interview was hilarious. Definitely loves to ham it up for the cameras.

Why was it fake ?

 

[Zen86]

If he comes to the PL it will be to join City, Newcastle, or whoever else is buying the league at the time.

 

[Kwabs]

I don't like his ego and arrogance. Sometimes he will elongate things when in possession. Take an extra few seconds on the ball after doing something well, almost to prolong the adulation he'll receive and emphasize how good he is. It doesn't help that the media/commentary team lap up every little thing that he does. As an example, the fawning yesterday over that 30 yard pass he made back into his own half was quite ridiculous. Rio was in awe of how Bellingham wasn't saying 'erm' a lot in his post match interview. I also don't like how he lacks respect for the opposition. Laughing in players faces etc. Yesterday, there was that completely stupid and unnecessary barge into a Serbian player off the ball. No idea what he was trying to achieve other than another display of 'I'm Billy big bollocks'. Should have been booked for that.

He's got the kind of balls and attitude that you need to win at the highest level. If England had more like him, they might actually have a shot.

 

[giorno]

His roaming yesterday was clearly tactical and intended to facilitate Foden, to absolutely no avail, as Foden struggled mightily to get into the game.and wasn’t doing well with interplay intended to progress both of them up the pitch in tandem. No Foden, and Bellingham isn’t roaming so much

If you watch their performances from beginning to end and frame them in terms of minutes and game state, you can actually see why Bellingham is great for England and Foden is not. It was pretty stark. Bellingham started the game sharing his role with Foden and the longer the game went on, the more involved he tried to be and the deeper he moved just to get on the ball and try to make something happen. Meanwhile Foden was pushing further up and open on the left, away from the ball and the action...

 

[Fortitude]

If you watch their performances from beginning to end and frame them in terms of minutes and game state, you can actually see why Bellingham is great for England and Foden is not

Yeah I agree. Foden is wedded to Pep’s system above the individual and is struggling badly to find an identity outside of those creature comforts. Bellingham is playing off the cuff and adapting in real time, which is why he always looks one or two steps ahead in terms of movement and exploiting of space.

 

[kouroux]

If you watch their performances from beginning to end and frame them in terms of minutes and game state, you can actually see why Bellingham is great for England and Foden is not. It was pretty stark. Bellingham started the game sharing his role with Foden and the longer the game went on, the more involved he tried to be and the deeper he moved just to get on the ball and try to make something happen. Meanwhile Foden was pushing further up and open on the left, away from the ball and the action...

Such a good analysis tbh. Foden grew smaller as the game went on.

 

[Remember the geese]

He's got the kind of balls and attitude that you need to win at the highest level. If England had more like him, they might actually have a shot.

He's a good player. I just find him very unlikeable.

 

[Pickle85]

If you watch their performances from beginning to end and frame them in terms of minutes and game state, you can actually see why Bellingham is great for England and Foden is not. It was pretty stark. Bellingham started the game sharing his role with Foden and the longer the game went on, the more involved he tried to be and the deeper he moved just to get on the ball and try to make something happen. Meanwhile Foden was pushing further up and open on the left, away from the ball and the action...

Spot on here. Foden seemed to shrink while Bellingham stepped up.