Jude Bellingham’s performances have deteriorated after a stunning debut season at Real Madrid amid suggestions of dressing room unrest caused by the arrival of Kylian Mbappe, claims scathing reviews in the Spanish press following the club’s shock Champions League defeat.
Madrid are looking to defend their European crown, which was largely orchestrated by the individual success of Bellingham and Vinicius Jnr last season, but a 1-0 defeat to Lille on Wednesday ended their 14-match unbeaten run in the league and called for more ask about staff problems.
A side already packed with superstar talent was boosted by the blockbuster arrival of Mbappe as his contract with PSG expired and he made a sensational free transfer to Santiago Bernabeu.
However, his move to the Spanish capital is seeing other players’ performances decline, with Bellingham, one of Carlo Ancelotti’s stars, struggling to play alongside Mbappe, as reported by IF.
The England playmaker scored six goals in his first seven games last season as the former Birmingham and Borussia Dortmund star made a stunning start in Spain.
Jude Bellingham’s numbers have fallen after a stunning debut season at Real Madrid, reports in Spain claim
Bellingham (right) is one of the Madrid players who have struggled since the high-profile arrival of Kylian Mbappé (left)
Mbappe failed to impress on Wednesday after coming off the bench in Madrid’s defeat to Lille
However, this season Bellingham has provided just two assists in as many games and is yet to score as the emergence of Mbappe has seen his role within the team change.
Bellingham was often used as a makeshift striker by Ancelotti last season but has now dropped deeper into midfield, where his attacking impact is limited as Mbappe prefers to be in the lead.
The 21-year-old has largely taken on the responsibilities vacated by Toni Kroos, who decided to retire at the end of last season, and Madrid lacked the fluidity with which they could build attacks through the German.
Bellingham was also the club’s star figure alongside Brazilian winger Vinicius Jnr last season, but Mbappe’s move has largely taken that title away as the French superstar commands the attention of supporters and mass media.
That has led to dressing room unrest within the squad, as Ancelotti tries to manage a team full of superstar talent and the big personalities that come with it.
Meanwhile, Mbappe started the defeat to Lille on the bench before coming on as a second-half substitute, but failed to score as his younger brother Ethan later led the French side’s dressing room celebrations.
Madrid boss Carlo Ancelotti was critical of his side’s Champions League defeat to Lille
Madrid had six shots on target during the game but failed to break the deadlock and Madrid boss Ancelotti suggested his players needed a wake-up call as they look to defend their Champions League and LaLiga titles.
“It was complicated, it wasn’t our best game and we have to clear our heads,” Ancelotti said.
‘It seemed like we were getting better, but with this match we took a step back.
‘Lille has been better than us. “We could use some attention and a little criticism,” he added.