Fitting Jude Bellingham into Real Madrid’s starting lineup is Xabi Alonso’s next big test after the international break. The Vinicius debate, meanwhile, is finally settled.
Following Madrid’s crucial win over Villarreal, with Vinicius dazzling in top form, Alonso was asked directly: Is Bellingham ready to start after the break? His answer left no room for doubt. The English midfielder is now officially back in the mix.
“Yes, after two weeks of training, he will be even better. He’s going to be very important in the next phase in October. This break gives us the time Jude missed in preseason because of his surgery, and we have a packed schedule,” Alonso said. With Vinicius’ situation resolved, Bellingham has now become the next hot potato on Alonso’s plate.
Bellingham’s gradual return
Bellingham’s surprise start in the Madrid derby ended up being a cautionary tale. His performance against Atlético showed that rushing his return by a month was not ideal. After that, he played just 10 minutes in Almaty and 25 minutes against Villarreal. In that match, however, Bellingham showed clear signs of getting back into rhythm, highlighted by the decisive pressing that led to Mbappé’s third goal.
A star-studded midfield puzzle
With Kylian Mbappé in Cristiano Ronaldo-like form—14 goals in 10 games—Vinicius settled as a starter (four consecutive starts, three of them full matches, including a heroic performance against Villarreal), and Valverde and Tchouameni holding their key roles, Bellingham’s return inevitably leaves just one spot open for two players: Mastantuono and Güler. One of them will miss out. Until now, Madrid’s lineup has felt provisional, largely due to Bellingham’s absence, and Alonso hasn’t fully defined his base formation.
Big decisions ahead for Xabi Alonso
Alonso must choose between the depth and defensive coverage offered by Mastantuono or the creative combination play and interior presence Güler brings. If he wants Güler closer to goal—building on his connection with Mbappé, who has received four assists from the Turkish midfielder (plus Güler’s own three goals)—Madrid will benefit from another attacking weapon.
The coach must also decide whether Bellingham will play more as a traditional midfielder, as Alonso suggested during preseason, or closer to goal, considering the Englishman’s impressive first two seasons in Madrid: 23 goals and 14 assists, then 15 and 14, respectively. The options are many, and after the international break, fans will see a Madrid lineup that is finally whole, with all its stars back on the pitch.