Vinícius threat and the Bellingham secret: former Real Madrid player says Mourinho stumbled upon his perfect line-up by chance

Warning against the Brazilian star's return!

Poli Rincón, the former Real Madrid player, has hailed the remarkable development in Jude Bellingham's game. Deploying him just behind Kylian Mbappé hands the Englishman a major advantage, he believes, yet he also voiced concern about the knock-on effect of Vinícius Júnior's return to the starting line-up.

Bellingham has established himself as one of the leading figures in the Real Madrid side this season, a clear barometer of how Los Blancos are faring on the pitch.

That showed again against Valencia. He posed a constant threat going forward without ever shirking his defensive duties, driving the important 3-0 win yesterday.

According to Rincón, the England international's knack for roaming into wide areas and contributing at both ends of the pitch sums up the quality of the team's display. He also praised the role Bellingham fills under the leadership of José Mourinho.

Speaking on "Cadena COPE" radio during the Valencia match, the former Real Madrid player said: "Bellingham is at his best when he plays behind Mbappé, with spaces available and his ability to turn, but what causes fear is what will happen when Vinícius returns".

Real Madrid's managers have spent recent seasons searching for Bellingham's best position, a hunt complicated by their reliance on a 4-3-3. That system handed him the left midfield role, often dragging him close to the touchline and blunting his real strengths.

The 4-2-2-2, deployed in certain spells to push him nearer the opponent's box, fell short of the same goal. For Rincón, one secret behind Real Madrid's current form is Bellingham's movement from deep behind Mbappe. There he finds the space to exploit his physical power, his work on and off the ball, and his role in building play.

He added, full of admiration for what the player brings: "I see the determination and the character, and I like Bellingham more day by day."

Rincon's praise wasn't limited to Bellingham. He extended it to the collective, telling the website Defensa Central: "The white team has found a clear idea, a system and a style of play, with a strong personality, and performs in a logical and organised manner."

"The team has become more fluid, has a different idea and imagination, and can attack in a variety of ways. I am extremely happy with this Real Madrid," he continued. That upturn coincided with Vinicius sitting out La Liga matches through suspension, which handed Mourinho the chance to try different attacking options. He fielded Arda Guler on the right flank and Diomande on the left, with Bernardo Silva in the double pivot.

Real Madrid looked defensively solid across those games, built on collective graft and solidarity between the players. They kept their fluidity and speed in attack too.

Vinicius saw red against Villarreal, and the suspension that followed ruled him out of four matches. That spell handed Mourinho the chance to try out a different line-up.

Endrick started against Sevilla, but the Clasico against Barcelona was the real showcase, not least for Bernardo Silva's involvement.

Rincon weighed in on the shift. "Real Madrid found a starting line-up almost by chance, and the decisive match was the Clasico," he said, arguing the team has grown clearer and more cohesive with the new combination.

The international break, according to the report, gives Mourinho a window to settle his position on Vinicius: back into the starting XI or kept on the bench.

Should the Portuguese coach decide to recall the Brazilian, he faces a challenge. He must convince Vinicius to match the commitment and teamwork his colleagues delivered in his absence, so his return doesn't upset the balance.