Jude Bellingham: Criticism of ‘WEAK’ Real Madrid star builds after Champions League struggles

Updated: 1 May 2024 12:58 BST
3 min read

Jude Bellingham, Real Madrid, 2023/24 — © IMAGO

Jude Bellingham might have made an exceptional start to his Real Madrid career, including game-winning goals in two Clasicos, but that has not shielded the England international from criticism for recent low-key performances.

Since the turn of the year, Bellingham has scored only four goals in all competitions and was targeted by the Madrid media following the club’s 3-3 draw with Manchester City at home in April.

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The criticism of the player continues to build after he failed to hit the heights in a 2-2 Champions League semi-final first-leg draw with Bayern Munich on Tuesday.

STATS

37

Games
21

Goals
10

Assists

“Bellingham has once again tiptoed through a major event and is going through a difficult time physically,” Revelo said of his performances.

AS added: “His first half was weak, he struggled to link up the midfield with the two Brazilians. In the second half he grew... but he needs to improve.”

His first half was weak, he struggled to link up the midfield with the two Brazilians

- AS on Bellingham vs Bayern Munich

Bellingham’s performance was graded a little more generously by Marca, which nevertheless noted as it gave him a score of 5/10: “He lost a dangerous ball that Harry Kane almost took advantage of to score from his own half.”

Real Madrid head coach Carlo Ancelotti explained the player’s struggles: “I think yes, he will find his best version. He had an injury that affected him. He will be back very soon and by Wednesday he will be 100%.”

How did Bellingham vs Bayern Munich?

FootballCritic gave Bellingham a score of 6.5, which was the fourth-best figure in the Real Madrid side behind Toni Kroos, who was Man of the Match, Vinicius Junior and Aurelien Tchouameni.

The former Borussia Dortmund star still managed to complete 90% of his passes, including 12 in the final third, but he had no real impact near the Bayern goal.

Similarly, he lost possession 10 times but did compete in a team-high 11 duels, winning six of these.

Criticism sent in his direction appears to have been caused by the high standards he has set for himself rather than being genuinely poor.

Read more about: La Liga, Real Madrid, Jude Bellingham