Jude Bellingham has 2 goals and 2 assists in 3 La Liga appearances, and that early return is why Real Madrid already look settled on him as the most advanced midfielder. Jose Mourinho has made three wins from three since taking charge, and he has backed Bellingham for the role closest to goal. Against Malaga, he was described as the best player on the pitch in the No 10 role as Madrid won 4-0 at the Bernabeu.

Mourinho's choice at No 10

The clearest sign is Mourinho's own description of the job. Speaking to managingmadrid.com, he said: "what I expect from Bellingham, and for me, this is his position, is that connection with the attackers. He’s a player who can score and needs to play in a position close to goal".

That fits the way Bellingham has started this season. He is averaging 67.7 minutes per La Liga appearance, has an 8.4 rating in the league, and has produced in the final third from the role Mourinho wants him to play. The output is strong enough that Madrid do not need to overcomplicate the picture.

Güler's case is still live

Arda Güler is not being ignored. He has 1 goal and 1 assist in 3 appearances, and he is creating 7.6 chances per 90 in only 142 minutes, which is a decent argument for giving him more responsibility higher up the pitch.

Mourinho is thinking further ahead with him as well. He said: "I believe with him it’s going to be like Luka Modrić. In the end he will end up as a number 8 and then as a 6." That does not shut the door completely on Güler in the No 10 slot, but it does show where the manager sees his long-term home.

Real Madrid have also got Kylian Mbappé starting quickly, with 4 goals in 3 La Liga appearances, so the attack already has a clear scoring outlet. Bellingham's job is to connect that front line, and early on he has done it better than anyone else in the squad.

The debate is not dead, because Güler keeps producing enough to stay in the conversation. But the role Mourinho has actually chosen belongs to Bellingham right now, and Madrid's next league outing will tell us whether that stays true.

Written by Daniel Hartley with AI-assisted research, cross-checked against 2 outlets. How we work →