MEDIA BACKFLIP: JUDE BELLINGHAM SILENCES CRITICS AFTER LIVERPOOL SWAP RUMORS
Real Madrid's media performed a 180 on Jude Bellingham after his strong showing in a left-midfield role, praising him as the "glue" of the team.
Real Madrid's media had some strong words for Jude Bellingham just days ago, but now they're singing a different tune after rumors surfaced of a possible swap deal with Liverpool involving Alexis Mac Allister.
Bellingham, like a few Real Madrid players this season under Xabi Alonso, hasn't been at his usual top form. Under Carlo Ancelotti, he had the freedom to move into the penalty area and score goals consistently. However, since Alonso took over as manager last season, replacing Ancelotti, that hasn't been the case.
The Real Madrid media is quick to criticise players when their performance drops. Bellingham faced their fire after Los Blancos' 1-1 draw with Girona.
Maria Jose Hostalrich, a journalist for Marca, said Alonso should get rid of Bellingham, arguing that the team plays better without him.
Tomas Roncero from AS mentioned on Cadena SER that Bellingham is missing and that the 22-year-old is still trying to figure out his best position.
All this happened while rumours were circulating about Bellingham moving to Liverpool in exchange for Alexis Mac Allister.
Defensa Central, a news source focused on Real Madrid, claimed that Liverpool had already contacted Bellingham's agent and father, Mark Bellingham.
However, this report should be viewed skeptically since no other sources have confirmed it. The report stated that Bellingham is clear about wanting to stay at Madrid, and the club isn't interested in offers for him.
Bellingham responded to the criticism with a strong performance in Real Madrid's 3-0 victory against Athletic Bilbao.
Alonso played Bellingham on the left side of midfield, and Marca changed its opinion.
The publication noted that Bellingham's most complete performance in a long time played a key role in Real Madrid's win.
They added, With a more defined role as a midfielder, he shone in both building the play and connecting with the forwards, as well as in defence, where he tirelessly won the ball back and blocked Athletic's passes.
“The Englishman must understand he can enjoy a starring role in this team without needing to score goals or hover around the box as an attacking midfielder, but rather as the glue that holds the team’s play together. And he’s not incompatible with Guler. That’s a task Xabi Alonso still needs to address, and yesterday he finally got some enjoyment after a very tough few weeks.”
AS also commented that Bellingham was brilliant in the first half but faded in the second, saying that it was hard to sustain that level of energy and influence.
“Xabi stationed him on the left in the 4-4-2 at San Mames, and Bellingham nailed the role—disciplined defensively, but popping up wherever the attack needed him in transition.”
Against Athletic, Bellingham didn't take any shots but made one key pass, according to WhoScored.
He had a passing accuracy of 92.9%, won two headers, had 76 touches on the ball, and completed two dribbles.
Notably, Bellingham made seven tackles, one interception, and three clearances in the game.
THIBAUT COURTOIS CLEARED TO START EL CLáSICO AFTER RECOVERING FROM INJURY
Thibaut Courtois will return for Real Madrid in Sunday's El Clásico, but Ferland Mendy is sidelined for five months with an injury.
Looks like Thibaut Courtois is finally set to make his return for Real Madrid in Sunday’s El Clásico, which would be his first match since March 17. Courtois injured his thigh during the Champions League clash with Manchester City and hasn’t played since. Madrid really missed him; they managed just one clean sheet in eight games while he was out.
Now, with the trip to Camp Nou right around the corner, Courtois is back at just the right time. According to MARCA, he’ll start against Barcelona unless something unexpected happens between now and then. He trained with the squad on Monday and looks ready to reclaim his spot from Andriy Lunin, who’s had a tough couple of months and faced a fair share of criticism. If Courtois starts, he’ll notch his 330th appearance for the club.
But here’s the problem: while Arbeloa gets a major boost in goals, his squad is still missing key players. Arda Güler, Éder Militão, Dani Carvajal, Rodrygo, and maybe even Kylian Mbappé remain sidelined, so Madrid are still far from full strength for this crucial match on May 10.
Ferland Mendy joins the injury list too after picking up a muscle issue in the 2–0 win over Espanyol. He only lasted 14 minutes before coming off, and further tests showed a hamstring injury bad enough that ESPN says he could be out for up to five months, possibly needing surgery.
That one really hurts since Mendy had played so well lately, especially against Savinho and Michael Olise in the Champions League. To make things even more complicated, Álvaro Carreras seems to have dropped down Arbeloa’s pecking order, so Fran García is expected to fill in at left back on Sunday.
Now, about the title race. Barcelona sit 11 points clear at the top, so the La Liga title is basically theirs. Madrid already swallowed the bitter pill of losing out to their biggest rivals for a second straight season, but two things could still make this sting even more. First, they dodged the humiliation of being forced to give Barcelona a guard of honour at the Camp Nou. Madrid’s win over Espanyol last weekend stopped that from happening.
But here’s what Madrid really wants to avoid: Barcelona celebrating the title in front of them on Sunday. The math is simple: if Barça earn even a draw, they clinch the league. The only way Madrid can delay the inevitable is by taking all three points and spoiling the party at least for another week.
WHY DID REAL MADRID CHOOSE TO KEEP ENDRICK DESPITE MASSIVE PREMIER LEAGUE INTEREST?
After a stellar loan at Lyon, Endrick will return to Real Madrid this summer alongside Jacobo Ramón to form a new youth core.
Real Madrid has zero plans to let Endrick leave this summer. That’s what we’re hearing, even with Arsenal and Chelsea knocking on their door. We’ve also got some updates on Jacobo Ramon’s future.
Endrick is finishing his loan at Lyon on a high note. He’s put up seven goals and seven assists in just 18 games, and people are excited about what he could do long-term.
The 19-year-old forward from Brazil wanted more game time after struggling for chances with Xabi Alonso in charge at Madrid, so he pushed for a loan. Now, with Alonso gone, Endrick’s focused on forcing his way into Brazil’s World Cup squad, and honestly, the way he’s been playing lately, he’s making a strong argument.
Big clubs are paying attention. Arsenal and Chelsea have both checked in recently to see if Madrid would be open to a deal for him this summer.
But Madrid’s answer? No chance. They’ve told both clubs straight up: Endrick’s coming back to the Bernabéu, and he’s in their first-team plans for next season.
Endrick’s on board with that, too. He wants to stay and fight for a spot, a real chance to prove himself as a regular in Madrid’s lineup.
Florentino Perez backs him all the way; he still believes Endrick is the best young talent out there. The club isn’t about to change its mind.
Endrick’s not the only Madrid youth getting attention from the Premier League. Arsenal and Chelsea have also been checking in about Jacobo Ramon, the young centre-back playing for Como in Italy right now.
Ramon’s been playing alongside Nico Paz under Cesc Fabregas and has done well. Even though he moved from Madrid to Como last summer, Madrid made sure to keep buy-back and sell-on clauses, so it’s almost like he’s still a Madrid player on loan.
Now, the plan is for Ramon to return to Madrid this summer with Endrick and Paz. The club’s looking to keep its young core together and build the future around them.
Lots of clubs are watching Ramon; more than six want to sign him. But honestly, Madrid’s stance is pretty clear: just like with Endrick, they aren’t budging.
So for Arsenal, Chelsea, and anyone else hoping to swoop in, the message is simple. Madrid is keeping their best young talents. They’re not letting them go.
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