Real Madrid needs Vinicius and Rodrygo to shine to reduce the pressure on Bellingham
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Bellingham is the brightest star at Real Madrid right now, but he certainly cannot carry the team all season.
It would be nice if we believed Jude Bellingham could do it all, every week. It would be nice to think that his signature sign gestures — arms open, chin raised, a slight smile — would appear every few days. After all, this is a 20-year-old guy who walks into the most high-pressure club in the world and makes everything look very easy.
But the reality is that Bellingham will slow down. At some point, there will be games where he doesn’t score or assist. It’s even possible — and this is a scary concept for Real Madrid fans — that he has a poor game, or falls into the tactical trap of an opposing coach.
So if Bellingham slips, who can take responsibility? Real Madrid’s advantage for many years has been its wealth of attacking talent. Cristiano Ronaldo might have a bad day because Gareth Bale is in the squad. Karim Benzema may miss some matches and Vinicius Jr will make sure. Ronaldo Nazario may be in trouble but still has Raul as backup.
But so far this season, those secondary performers have not appeared. The loss in scoring ability, when Benzema left for the Saudi Pro League, was compensated for by Bellingham’s excellence. However, if he fails, it will be the responsibility of another group of people to contribute. So far, those expected to replace them have not been able to meet them. Notably, Brazilian players Vinicius and Rodrygo have only scored a total of four goals in all competitions so far — and haven’t exactly impressed in the national team.
This is not too worrying — at least for now. However, Los Blancos may need the Brazilian pair to step up, as Bellingham cannot do everything alone.
Horrible form of
Putting into words Bellingham’s impact so far this season is difficult. This is a midfielder by profession deployed as a false number 9 behind the split strikers, who also tracks down and can operate on the left wing of a 4-4-2 system when the team defends, and who also creates chances for his teammates at an impressive pace.
Bellingham has scored 10 goals in 10 matches for Los Blancos and also has three assists to add. He is scoring, statistically, at the same rate as Cristiano Ronaldo when he joined the club in 2009. He accounts for 43% of Madrid’s goals so far this season and has contributed to more than one-half of that.
The more technical things are even more impressive. Bellingham ranks in the top 96% for average goals per 90 minutes for both midfielders and strikers, according to FBref. He was in the 88th percentile or better for both groups in terms of successful passes. He is above average compared to all midfielders in terms of the number of cuts, interceptions, pass interceptions, and wins in space duels. Put Bellingham, a player with no fixed position, up against the top players in every position in Europe, and his numbers match. These are the numbers of a true superstar, a player who had the season started nine months ago, would have seen his name appear in the Ballon d’Or debate.
Despite his crazy talent, such a level surely cannot be maintained, right? If not, Madrid needs Vinicius and Rodrygo to contribute support. Joselu has scored several more goals — with five in all competitions — but the South American pair are seen as key men in Madrid’s support team.
Real does not have a worthy replacement if needed
The big worry for Real Madrid is that there aren’t many options outside of Rodrygo and Vinicius. Joselu has had a remarkable start to his career at Madrid, but he has been a backup option rather than someone who can be relied upon to play most weeks. Meanwhile, «Turkish Messi» Arda Guler has not been able to play for the first team due to injury problems, and he is not yet a strong striker or excellent opportunity creator that Madrid needs.
Other players like Luka Modric, Brahim Diaz, and Dani Ceballos are also not natural strikers. Only Fede Valverde can become a player who can deliver a breakthrough in scoring like Madrid’s other attacking midfielders, but these days he often operates in a deeper position to facilitate the Bellingham advanced. Real Madrid has a very balanced squad, tightly built, to ensure the three main strikers score many goals. When two of them are out of form, the responsibility must be placed on the third person.
So while Carlo Ancelotti currently has a player in the best form in the world, top teams need secondary options, and contributors from other positions to ensure the star doesn’t have to do it all. everything alone throughout 60 matches. Previously, Real Madrid relied on Bale, Benzema and Raul. Now, they need to rely on two others who can ensure that a bright start to the season is not wasted.
