open menulivescore

In Focus: Why Bellingham was tailor-made made for Madrid
Copy icon

Dan Fitch
LiveScore
Jude Bellingham has completed his move to Real Madrid
Jude Bellingham has completed his move to Real Madrid

Jude Bellingham's transfer to Real Madrid sees him arrive at football's summit as a teenager. 

The midfielder has signed from Borussia Dortmund for an initial fee of £88.5million, which could rise to £115m with add-ons. 

Ahead of Bellingham's unveiling, we take a look at what the England international will bring to Los Blancos. 

Engine rebuild

Real have to be given full marks for their powers of succession planning. 

For many years, a central midfield trio of Casemiro, Luka Modric and Toni Kroos were a vital component of a team that were consistently the most successful side in the Champions League. 

Now the midfield of the future Is set to be Aurelien Tchouameni (23), Eduardo Camavinga (20) and Bellingham (19). 

They will potentially be aided by the versatile 24-year-old Federico Valverde, who has been linked with Liverpool. 

Modric is considering a move to Saudi Arabia but Dani Ceballos has been offered a new deal and Kroos has extended his. 

It all adds up

Jude Bellingham covers a lot of ground in midfield
Jude Bellingham covers a lot of ground in midfield

Bellingham wears the No22 shirt because his youth coaches at first club Birmingham thought that he could do it all. 

He was capable of playing as a No4, No8 or No10. Add those numbers together and you get 22. Real have signed the complete player.

In 42 games for Borussia Dortmund last season, Bellingham scored 14 goals and assisted seven. 

Aside from his productivity in the final third, the midfielder's ability to retain possession and play progressive passes — allied to his work-rate and defensive capabilities — make him a true all-rounder. 

Turning 20 this summer, Bellingham already has everything needed to make an immediate impression. Even at a club like Real where the expectations are stratospheric. 

Kroos control

Jude Bellingham scored 14 times for Borussia Dortmund last season
Jude Bellingham scored 14 times for Borussia Dortmund last season

When Kroos was asked about Bellingham's transfer this week, he made reference to Eden Hazard's ill-fated move to Real Madrid. 

He said: "We now also had someone who came for a lot of money and virtually let his career rest. 

"A lot of money and I think everyone would say in retrospect, that was not such a good transfer. But now let's start from the positive." 

The transfer fee means nothing. Bellingham must prove himself and work hard. 

For most players of his age, the pressure would be too much. Yet the Stourbridge-born starlet has a maturity beyond his years. 

That is clear when he speaks to the media and the fact that Dortmund made him the Bundesliga's youngest captain. 

He was not overawed by his move to Germany, or the step up to play regularly for England. Bellingham's attitude is every bit as exceptional as his footballing ability.

Tags

Jude BellinghamReal MadridLaLigaEngland
LiveScore logo

LiveScore: Live Sport Updates

Footbal Scores & Sports News

App storeGoogle play