Arbeloa hails Bellingham’s return: “Real Madrid are better with him” ahead of Bayern UCL clash | OneFootball

Alvaro Arbeloa has insisted Real Madrid are a better team with Jude Bellingham in the side.

Bellingham has returned as a substitute from a hamstring issue in recent games and is hoping for his first start since that lay-off when Real Madrid hostBayern Munich in the Champions League tomorrow.

The Spanish side welcome Bayern to the Bernabeu for the first leg of their quarter-final tie. Arbeloa was asked about Bellingham in his pre-match press conference, and what tactical changes could materialise as a result. He said the return of the England midfielder is a 'blessed problem' to have.

“What changes is that we’re a better team; I’m convinced of that. He has different qualities to his teammates and when he’s on the pitch we have to adapt.

"That’s what football’s all about, having those connections between players. But it’s a blessed problem to have to fit Bellingham into the team.”

Real Madrid are aiming to bounce back from a weekenddefeat to Mallorca, which dented the club's La Liga title ambitions.

Arbeloa believes he has the best players in the world at his disposal but said Real have work to do to become 'the best team in the world'.

"To win in football, you have to get a lot of things right in every phase of the game. To be a great team, you have to be very well-drilled and have that collective mindset," the head coach said.

"Perhaps that’s what I’m emphasising most to the players. We have the best players but we must also be the best team in the world. We have to put our talent at the service of the team.

“It’s a locker room like any other when you lose. Perhaps it hurts more, because if there’s one club where defeat isn’t tolerated, it’s Madrid.”