Jude Bellingham is off to a flying start this season at Real Madrid, showing the kind of form that made him such a sensation in his debut campaign. Under new manager Jose Mourinho, the 23-year-old has racked up two goals and three assists as Madrid have won all three of their opening La Liga matches, scoring ten goals and conceding just two along the way.
The key to Bellingham's resurgence appears to be a tactical shift that has restored him to the attacking role he thrived in during his first season at the Bernabeu, when he scored 23 goals as Madrid claimed both La Liga and the Champions League. In the two seasons since, his output dropped off, hampered by a deeper defensive role and a string of injuries, including shoulder surgery in 2025 and a hamstring problem that sidelined him for ten matches the following year.
Mourinho has now deployed Bellingham as a number 10 in a 4-2-3-1 formation, positioned just behind Kylian Mbappe with license to roam across the front line rather than track back into deep defensive positions. Speaking after Madrid's 4-0 win over Malaga, Mourinho explained the change in approach.
"We've organised the team differently," he said. "Bellingham sometimes defended like a second left-back last season. I told him I do not want to see that anymore. I made a deal with him."
The Portuguese coach believes this new setup allows Bellingham to make the most of his natural instincts near goal. "For me, this is his position, with his connection with the forwards, he can score goals," Mourinho said. "He has to play close to the goal. Playing at number six or number eight, we're losing his closeness to the goal. I like this Jude."
Bellingham himself has acknowledged the difference the tactical freedom has made, telling Real Madrid TV: "I feel more free to decide when to drop back, when to stay up or when to get into the box. I think this is the best position for me."
While Mourinho still wants his midfielder to press and win back possession, the emphasis has shifted to doing so higher up the pitch rather than retreating toward his own box. This positions Bellingham closer to Mbappe and Vinicius Jr when Madrid regain the ball, strengthening the link between midfield and attack. Mourinho has stressed that this cohesion is essential to the team's approach, noting, "The team dynamic is about 11, not 2+9."
The relationship between player and manager appears to be off to a strong start, despite limited prior contact. Bellingham described working under Mourinho as a "dream," having only met him once before his appointment at the club. For his part, Mourinho has been effusive in his praise, calling Bellingham a "unique and super important player" and even suggesting he could be a contender for the Ballon d'Or.
"He is a unique kind of player and extremely important for the team," Mourinho said. "His mental strength, tactical ability, the way he recovers the ball, the way he pressures, the way he plays up front, I am very happy."
Mourinho has also pointed to England manager Thomas Tuchel's use of Bellingham at the World Cup as a blueprint for extracting the best from the midfielder. Bellingham was among England's top performers in that tournament, contributing seven goals and an assist across eight appearances, and that attacking freedom seems to have carried over into his club form.
Despite joining Madrid's preseason later than most teammates, Bellingham has quickly found his rhythm. "I'm having a lot of fun, I'm really enjoying my football, and that's why I'm performing well," he told club media.
With the Champions League and a longer season still ahead, Madrid's early results are just a small sample. But if Bellingham continues at this level with Mourinho's backing, this campaign could prove to be his finest yet.
Based on reporting from BBC Sport Football.