Spanish media rips into Real Madrid star Jude Bellingham as goal drought reaches 11 games | OneFootball

Spanish news outlet Marca has ripped into Real Madrid star Jude Bellingham after going 11 games without a goal following the 2-1 victory over Celta Vigo last weekend.

The England international took La Liga by storm last season, netting 23 goals and 13 assists across all competitions. He helped Madrid win the La Liga, Champions League and Spanish Super Cup titles.

His performances earned him the La Liga Player of the Year award, but he has struggled to replicate that form this season.

With Bellingham still waiting for his first goal, his previous exploits haven’t shielded him from scathing criticism from Marca, who claim the Ballon d’Or nominee has gone ‘from ten to zero in a year’.

Fellow Spanish outlet Diario Sport was also hugely critical of Bellingham, claiming ‘far away is the memory of that player who, with the freedom to approach the area, signed some spectacular figures’.

However, Madrid manager Carlo Ancelotti has defended Bellingham, praising him for doing ‘much more important’ work for the team.

“I think we are satisfied with his work because he does a lot on the field,” Ancelotti said (via AS) ahead of Tuesday’s Champions League game against Borussia Dortmund.

“He competes a lot – he makes sacrifices. He has not scored the goals he did last year, but the surprise is not this year, but the ones he scored last year.

“We are not short of goals from Bellingham because we have very talented players in front of us. For us, the work he is doing is much more important.”

Bellingham had the freedom to drive forward and attack the opposition backline last season but has been forced to play a deeper role following Kylian Mbappe’s arrival.

While Bellingham’s new role has impacted his goalscoring numbers, Mbappe has shaken off a slow start to life in Madrid, netting eight goals in 12 games.