Jude Bellingham: Future Under Xabi Alonso?

Real Madrid is stepping into a new era, and at the heart of it all is Jude Bellingham. After a whirlwind debut season in which he carried the team in crucial moments, Bellingham’s future now lies in incoming head coach Xabi Alonso, a man with his own vision, style, and tactical identity.

So, what happens to Bellingham in Alonso’s Madrid? Can he thrive again, or is there a genuine risk that his spark might fade in a new system? Let’s unpack where Bellingham stands, how Alonso’s tactics might shape his future, and what we can realistically expect moving forward.

From Box Office to Box-to-Box 

When Bellingham landed in Madrid in 2023, expectations were high, but he blew past even the wildest predictions. Under Carlo Ancelotti, he played an advanced role just behind the striker, often drifting between the lines and finding space like a hybrid between a No. 10 and a No. 9. The result? There were 23 goals, 13 assists, and a barrage of match-winning moments with Madridistas believing they’d unearthed the next Galáctico. His performances led to Real Madrid losing twice all season, and he bagged a La Liga and Champions League double. 

Then came the summer of 2024, and with it, Kylian Mbappé. With Mbappé slotting into a central attacking role, Bellingham was asked to drop deeper into midfield. The logic was sound: put your most technically gifted players on the field together, but it came at a cost. Increased defensive duties dulled Bellingham’s attacking instincts. While he still had bright spells, he often looked like a player stuck between two roles, caught in the middle, literally and tactically. It wasn’t a dramatic drop in form, but it was clear that the magic of Year One was harder to come by. 

Xabi Alonso’s Tactical Blueprint

Enter Xabi Alonso. Alonso brings a clear tactical identity after an undefeated Bundesliga-winning season with Bayer Leverkusen, followed by a second-place finish to Bayern Munich. His go-to setup at Leverkusen was a 3-4-2-1 formation, characterized by fluid, controlled possession football and deadly transitions. 

It prioritized intelligent pressing, strong midfield anchors who could run up and down the pitch, along with the wing backs, who were pivotal figures in Leverkusen’s attacking strategy. The team consisted of two Attacking midfielders who could float and exploit spaces behind the striker. That system, on paper, appears to have been designed for someone like Bellingham.

If Alonso sticks to his guns, Bellingham could find himself right back in a role similar to what he played during his breakout season, just behind the striker, possibly alongside Vinícius Jr., in one of the dual No. 10 spots. With someone like Mbappé leading the line and Vini stretching defenses from vast areas, Jude would once again have the freedom to get into goal-scoring positions, dictate tempo, and carry the ball through the midfield, a role that suits him to the core.

There’s another hint that this might be Alonso’s direction: Real Madrid is actively seeking a new deep-lying midfielder. The club’s interest in Stuttgart’s Angelo Stiller shows they’re looking for someone who can anchor the midfield and possibly replace the recently retired Toni Kroos. That signing would free Bellingham from those deeper responsibilities, allowing him to focus on doing his best, creating and finishing.

Still, there are questions. With so many world-class players, Mbappé, Vinicius Jr., Rodrygo, Camavinga, Valverde, and Tchouaméni, does Alonso have the room to impose a rigid three-at-the-back system? He may pivot to a more traditional formation, like a 4-3-3 or 4-2-3-1, to better accommodate the talent pool. But then again, Alonso’s track record suggests otherwise. His success at Leverkusen wasn’t accidental. He built that side his way, and if Florentino Pérez gave him the job, it’s likely because the club believes in that vision. 

Navigating the Transition

To be clear, Bellingham hasn’t faced any issues under Alonso yet because the season hasn’t started. But there’s one lingering concern: his shoulder. Bellingham has been dealing with a persistent shoulder injury that first flared up during his time at Borussia Dortmund and worsened in late 2023 after a dislocation. He’s played through it with strapping, but the discomfort hasn’t disappeared. There’s been talk of surgery, though his involvement with club and country in the summer could be delayed.

If he does undergo surgery this summer, his preseason with Alonso could be cut short, a setback, especially when trying to adapt to a new tactical system. However, if the club manages his recovery properly and integrates him gradually, there’s no reason to believe he won’t hit the ground running when it counts.

Final Thoughts

There’s no sugarcoating it: This upcoming season could define Jude Bellingham’s trajectory at Real Madrid. He’s already proven that he can be the team’s centerpiece. The question is whether he’ll get the tactical freedom and positional clarity to do that again under a different manager. Alonso will bring structure, discipline, and a modern edge to Madrid’s play. Bellingham thrives in chaos and instinctual movement. If they meet halfway, if Alonso trusts Jude to play to his strengths, and Jude buys into the system, Madrid might just be unstoppable.