Real Madrid do not seem to be waiting for Jude Bellingham to settle before deciding where he fits. Jose Mourinho is already shaping the midfielder’s role around a more advanced number 10 position, with the plan to keep him closer to goal rather than parked deep in midfield. Bellingham is back in training, and the first picture of Mourinho’s version of him is pretty clear.

Mourinho's role change

According to AS, Mourinho plans to use Bellingham in a 4-2-3-1, with the England midfielder moving into a more advanced position. The simple read is that he wants him in the space behind the striker, where he can arrive late, press higher and attack the box more often. That is a different job from spending most of his time deep, and it suits the profile of a player who has already shown he can contribute as both scorer and creator.

The attacking numbers back up why this is the obvious place to start. Bellingham scored 23 goals and registered 13 assists across the 2023/24 season, then finished the 2026 World Cup with seven goals and one assist in eight matches. He also logged eight starts there, which gave a decent sample of him operating in a more advanced international role.

The case for keeping him closer to goal

Bellingham’s World Cup output was not just about finishing. He was trusted for 646 minutes across those eight appearances, and the overall return included direct creation as well as goals. A 7.77 tournament rating points in the same direction, even if ratings alone never tell the whole story.

That is why Mourinho’s idea feels logical. Bellingham has the engine to cover ground from midfield, but the stronger version of him is often the one arriving near the penalty area, not the one starting every move from deeper zones. In a 4-2-3-1, the number 10 role gives him more freedom to do that without asking him to carry the entire build-up load.

His first opportunity to play under Mourinho is expected against Schalke on Sunday, August 16. For now, the manager has already made the main decision: Bellingham is being lined up higher up the pitch, and Madrid will get their first look at that version of him once the season proper begins.

Written by Daniel Hartley with AI-assisted research, cross-checked against 1 outlet. How we work →