Ahead of the Champions League final and Euro 2024, England International Jude Bellingham has admitted he enjoys the ‘freedom on the pitch’ that he has when playing as as No.10 for Real Madrid
In his first year at Madrid following an €100m plus move from Borussia Dortmund, the 20-year-old has predominantly been used in the No.10 position by manager Carlo Ancelotti this season, despite having often been deployed as a box-to-box or defensive midfielder in his prior club and international career.
Though, this tactical move has paid dividends for the four-time Champions League winning coach, with Bellingham scoring 19 goals and making six assists in 28 league appearances, and contributing to eight goals in 10 games in the Champions league, helping Madrid regain the La Liga title for a 36th time and reach the final of UEFA’s top club competition, where Bellingham will face his former side in Edin Terzić’s Borussia Dortmund.
In preparation for that fixture, the former Birmingham City player expressed his enjoyment in playing his new-found No.10 role this season, saying: “I think what you’ve seen from me this year is a lot of different kind of roles and positions. When I play as a 10, I have the freedom to kind of go everywhere which means I can go deeper, I can create and I can go higher. I think I’m at my best when I have the freedom on the pitch.
“I think it’s important to understand the responsibilities in every position, but I love being with the football, coming on to the box, do stuff around the box and scoring goals are fun.”
As such, with Bellingham believing that he is ‘at his best’ when provided this freedom, this poses an interesting question as to where exactly Gareth Southgate should play Madrid’s top scorer to Gareth Southgate in of the upcoming Euro’s.
The make-up of the England boss’ midfield has been subject to much debate in the English media and fan base, with The Three Lions boasting a raft of talents in their preliminary squad. Among others, this ranges from typical midfielders such as Declan Rice, Kobbie Mainoo, and Conor Gallagher, more attack-minded names like James Maddison and Phil Foden, or even Liverpool full-back Trent Alexander Arnold, who Southgate has frequently started in central positions in recent months.
Therefore, the exact starters and their possible positions in England’s opener remain unclear. Southgate’s side will kick-off their Euro 2024 campaign against Serbia on Sunday 16 June at the Veltins-Arena in Germany.
Before heading off to Germany however, Bellingham’s focus will not be on his best position, but rather looking to claim his first and Los Blancos’ 15th Champions League trophy at Wembley Stadium this Saturday 1 June.
