Real Madrid superstar aiming to be at 100% fitness for Atletico Madrid clash | OneFootball

Earlier this week, Real Madrid superstar Jude Bellingham returned to the squad list for the UEFA Champions League game against Marseille, making his comeback after two months.

Having undergone shoulder surgery in July, the England international was expected to be out at least until October. But his hard work and efforts in rehab meant that the 22-year-old came back much before than expected.

Even though he made it to the squad vs Marseille, Bellingham did not get any minutes on the field on Tuesday.

Aiming to be fully fit for Atletico Madrid

Now, according to AS, Bellingham’s main goal is to be 100% fit for the Madrid derby at the Riyadh Air Metropolitano.

Real Madrid take on neighbours Atletico on 27 September away from home and the English midfielder is aiming to be fully fit and firing by the time that game arrives.

Eyes on the derby. (Photo by Angel Martinez/Getty Images)

Manager Xabi Alonso’s objective is also to have Bellingham fit to start and to be decisive in the derby.

As such, the idea is for the former Borussia Dortmund midfielder to get some minutes this weekend against RCD Espanyol and then later against Levante next week, so that he can build up rhythm and his match fitness in time for the derby.

Where will Bellingham play?

Under Carlo Ancelotti, Bellingham was utilised as an attacking midfielder at Real Madrid, maximising his goal threat in the process.

However, Alonso sees the Englishman as more of an interior midfielder and will be deploying him in a deeper role than he has been used at the Spanish capital club.

However, that leads to the question of who to bench as Federico Valverde and Aurelien Tchouameni are untouchable and Arda Guler has been very good in midfield this season.

In order to accommodate Bellingham, Alonso will have to choose to sacrifice Guler or bench the right-winger, either Franco Mastantuono or Brahim Diaz and move the Turkish international to that position.