Real Madrid manager Carlo Ancelotti has confirmed that Jude Bellingham’s role within the team will remain unchanged following the signing of Kylian Mbappe. Bellingham, a 21-year-old England midfielder, enjoyed a standout debut season with Real, netting 23 goals in 42 appearances as the team clinched both La Liga and the Champions League titles.
Mbappe, 25, joined Real Madrid this summer on a free transfer from Paris St-Germain. However, Ancelotti dismissed any suggestions that Bellingham would be pushed into a deeper position to accommodate Mbappe’s arrival. “Nothing changes for him. Nothing changes,” Ancelotti stated.
He praised Bellingham for his impressive first season, highlighting his maturity and quality: “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.”
Ancelotti also defended Bellingham against criticism following his performances during Euro 2024, where England reached the final. “This is an opinion but Bellingham played really well at the Euros,” he remarked. “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.”
In addition to discussing Bellingham, Ancelotti addressed the situation at Chelsea, urging the club’s owners to exercise patience with their managerial changes. Chelsea has sacked Thomas Tuchel, Graham Potter, and Mauricio Pochettino since the change in ownership. “They invested a lot. They have a good squad, good players, young. They have a young manager. They need to be a little bit patient, the owners, to take experience, to grow. But the signings that they have [made] are really good,” Ancelotti noted.
Lastly, Ancelotti commented on the future of Kepa Arrizabalaga, the Chelsea goalkeeper who spent last season on loan at Santiago Bernabeu. While acknowledging his appreciation for Kepa, Ancelotti indicated that Real Madrid is currently well-stocked in that position: “We love him. We love him but in that position, we are covered.”
