How Real Madrid manager Xabi Alonso will seamlessly reintegrate Jude Bellingham—who has returned from injury—back into the team’s starting lineup is precisely the challenge facing the young Spanish manager next.
At the post-match press conference following Real Madrid’s 3-1 win over Villarreal, when asked by reporters whether Bellingham would return to the starting XI after the international break, Alonso gave a positive response: “After two weeks of structured training, Bellingham’s form will definitely improve, and he will become a key force in the October fixture list. This break has perfectly compensated for the pre-season preparations he missed due to surgery, and the busy schedule also requires more players to contribute.”
Currently, Real Madrid’s attack presents a multi-faceted threat: Kylian Mbappé has shown peak form with 14 goals in 10 games, Vinícius Jr. has maintained consistently impressive performances, while Federico Valverde and Aurélien Tchouameni are absolute linchpins in midfield. Bellingham’s return means adjustments to the squad are inevitable—one of either Nicolás Mastantuono or Arda Güler will have to give up their starting spot.
Alonso is now confronted with a tactical dilemma: whether to retain Mastantuono’s defensive contributions and penetrating threat in transition, or to continue the chemistry between Güler and Mbappé. The young Turkish forward has so far provided 4 assists for Mbappé and scored 3 goals himself, making him a key contributor to the team’s position at the top of the La Liga standings this season. To maintain his red-hot form, the coaching staff must carefully weigh up their options.
A more crucial tactical question lies in this: should Bellingham return to the playmaking role in midfield, or continue his attacking style of playing close to the opposition box—a style he has employed over the past two years?
