USMNT star Weah making case for bigger Juve role next season

Have Liverpool really hired their own Ten Hag in Slot?

Columbus Crew one win in Mexico away from MLS immortality

Russo, Mead & Arsenal can warn WSL by denting City's title bid

Will Sancho stay at BVB? Winger still in dark over his future

Lehmann prepares for summer in Louis Vuitton two-piece

Antonio reveals what Klopp said to Salah during touchline row

Tuchel blames 'greedy' Kim for both Real Madrid goals 

Sullivan signs huge Union contract ahead of Man City move 

Beckham reacts to another 'record-breaking' MLS crowd

Rooney lands first big job since being axed by Brady & Co at Birmingham

‘Everything but’ – Why Reynolds & McElhenney aren’t helping U.S. soccer

Bellingham told to has 'more influence' at Real than Ronaldo & Zidane

Article continues belowArticle continues belowArticle continues below<ul><li>Burst out of the blocks at the Bernabeu</li><li>Goal output has slowed of late</li><li>In hunt for Liga &amp; Champions League crowns</li></ul><script type="application/json" data-placement="fcplayer-semantic">{"type":"fcplayer-semantic","data":{"embedCode":"//cdn.fcp.codes/embed-code-template/embed-code-template.js#SEMANTIC_5704afb8-c10b-4ba5-9cb4-d7fb6098ef90"}}</script>

Explained: Why Jude Bellingham’s ‘level has dropped’ at Real Madrid as Julio Baptista picks out ‘best’ position for 20-goal England superstar

LaLiga

Real Madrid

Cadiz

Maintaining the standards set through the early months of his time at Santiago Bernabeu was always going to be difficult, with the 20-year-old midfielder bursting out of the blocks. Bellingham’s efforts <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-gb/lists/jude-bellingham-picks-up-2023-golden-boy-prize-real-madrid-erling-haaland-ballon-d-or-revenge-lionel-messi-golden-man/bltb542e23c159ea613" target="_blank">landed him Kopa Trophy and Golden Boy award</a> recognition, while regularly being <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-gb/lists/jude-bellingham-above-real-madrid-legends-zinedine-zidane-luis-figo-blancos-champions-league-all-time-greats/blt075f273883d02cc0" target="_blank">compared to legendary figures from Real’s glittering past – such as Luis Figo and Zinedine Zidane</a>.

WHAT HAPPENED?

Bellingham has slowed down of late, registering just three goals through his last 15 appearances, with former Blancos star Julio Baptista telling the <a href="https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-13333111/Julio-Baptista-Jude-Bellingham-Clasico-Real-Madrid-LaLiga-Barcelona-Champions-League-exit.html " target="_blank">Daily Mail</a> of that slight dip: “I think he has adapted very well and he had an extraordinary start to his career at Madrid. Perhaps his level has dropped a little over the last month or so but maybe that is just the accumulation of games he has played. He has played a lot of minutes and sometimes players start to feel that in the legs, they are only human.”

WHAT BAPTISTA SAID ABOUT BELLINGHAM

Madrid have given Bellingham the freedom to flourish in Spanish football, with Baptista adding on the <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-gb/lists/best-position-jude-bellingham-explains-style-evolved-admiration-real-madrid-luka-modric-toni-kroos/blt8c4e2a681d3c507a" target="_blank">position that plays to his strengths</a>: “I see him playing behind a striker or playing behind two strikers. I think that is where you will get the best out of him.”

THE BIGGER PICTURE

Bellingham has helped Real to the top of the Spanish league table and semi-finals of the Champions League – where he will be <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-gb/lists/harry-kane-champions-league-war-warning-england-jude-bellingham-bayern-munich-semi-final-real-madrid/blte74d39fdcf4bb2fb" target="_blank">lining up against England team-mate Harry Kane</a>. He also has a European Championship trophy quest with the Three Lions to come this summer.

WHAT NEXT FOR BELLINGHAM?

Explained: Why Jude Bellingham’s ‘level has dropped’ at Real Madrid as Julio Baptista picks out ‘best’ position for 20-goal England superstar | Goal.com US

Jude Bellingham has registered 20 goals during his debut campaign at Real Madrid, but his level is considered to have “dropped” a little.

Editors' Picks