Xabi Alonso believes Real Madrid superstar can regain his old form by returning to this position | OneFootball

Jude Bellingham’s absence has been a key blow for Real Madrid in these early parts of the campaign.

The Englishman is serving time on the sidelines after undergoing surgery for his muscle problems. He is expected to be back sometime around November.

Real Madrid, though, have done an excellent job without Bellingham in midfield so far, with Arda Guler stepping up under the leadership of Xabi Alonso.

The Real Madrid coach, though, won’t ignore Bellingham when he returns to action and even has a plan to get his best form back. He is, in fact, expected to hold an important conversation with the midfielder during the international break.

Xabi Alonso’s plan for Jude Bellingham

According to Diario AS, Alonso is already preparing to restore Bellingham to the attacking midfield role where he thrived during the 2023/24 campaign.

Jude Bellingham won’t be available until November. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)

The Englishman produced staggering numbers in 2023/24, finishing with 23 goals and 13 assists, operating just behind the striker as the team’s main playmaker and finisher.

While Guler has been excelling in that role recently – even scoring and creating goals in Bellingham’s absence – Alonso reportedly sees this period as temporary.

His long-term vision is for Bellingham to reclaim the No.10 spot, allowing the Englishman to play closer to goal and replicate the lethal presence he showed during Madrid’s La Liga and Champions League-winning campaign.

That, however, could spark a fresh debate within the squad. Once Bellingham is back, the battle for attacking spaces will likely pit him against Guler and new signing Franco Mastantuono.

Alonso could even consider experimenting with a 4-4-2 diamond system to accommodate all three, but for now, his priority is to make sure Bellingham feels at home in the role that made him indispensable.