Real Madrid manager Carlo Ancelotti has allayed fears of Jude Bellingham’s position in the team changing due to the arrival of Kylian Mbappe, Afrosport reports.
The 21-year-old English midfielder was the standout player for Los Blancos last season, finishing as their top scorer with 23 goals and 13 assists in 42 competitive games, which helped them lift La Liga, UEFA Champions League and Supercopa de Espana.
There are however concerns Bellingham’s status will not be the same as new signing Mbappe is expected to be the focal point of the team. Ancelotti however emphasised that is not going to be the case.
“Nothing changes for him. Nothing changes,” the Italian tactician said as per BBC Sport.
“The first season, he surprised a lot, because he showed fantastic quality, a really mature guy. The next season will not be different.
“He is going to be one of the best players that we have, supporting a lot the team with his quality.”
Bellingham was criticised for his performance at the Euro 2024 championship where England reached the final but lost to Spain.
Ancelotti however lept to the former Borussia Dortmund player’s defence.
“This is an opinion but Bellingham played really well at the Euros,” he added.
“England played really well, they reached the final and were close to winning it. I don’t know how the players are tired for the game.
“The most important players are used to playing every three days, they manage that really well and arrive at the end of the season without any problems.”
Real Madrid will begin the 2024-25 season by playing Atalanta in the UEFA Super Cup in Warsaw on August 14, before starting the La Liga season against Mallorca four days later.
