How Real Madrid could line up with Jude Bellingham

The future of Borussia Dortmund midfielder and England international Jude Bellingham was poised to be the sub-plot of the summer, but Real Madrid are taking steps to ensure his future doesn’t develop into a saga.

A whole host of clubs were supposedly interested in acquiring Bellingham’s signature at the end of the 2022/23 season, but Dortmund’s asking price rendered Real and Man City the two likeliest destinations.

And it’s the Spanish giants who have seemingly already won the race. The superstar midfielder is close to reaching an agreement to head to the Bernabeu, 90min understands, with negotiations entering their final stages.

It now appears inevitable Bellingham will be a Real Madrid player, but where will he fit in at Los Blancos?

Toni Kroos and Luka Modric are still going strong, but boy, Real have the ultimate succession plan in Bellingham, Aurelien Tchouameni, and Eduardo Camavinga. Not to mention the excellent Federico Valverde.

While the French duo have primarily been used in a holding role (Camavinga has also operated at left-back) since they joined the club, Bellingham has rarely functioned as a six and Real haven’t signed him to develop into Casemiro’s successor. That’d be a waste of his skill set.

Bellingham is at his best when given the freedom to advance in a box-to-box role, with much of his good work coming from a left-sided eight position. Kroos has excelled here for however many years in the Spanish capital, and he’ll share his minutes with the England international next season. Bellingham could, of course, operate from the right side of Carlo Ancelotti’s expected midfield three, also.

Potential lineups:

Luka Modric (CM) – Eduardo Camavinga (CM) – Jude Bellingham (CM)

Luka Modric (CM) – Aurelien Tchouameni (CM) – Jude Bellingham (CM)

Federico Valverde (CM) – Toni Kroos (CM) – Jude Bellingham (CM)

Jude Bellingham (CM) – Eduardo Camavinga (CM) – Toni Kroos (CM)

Ancelotti has rarely used a double pivot since he returned to the Bernabeu, with a 4-3-3 emerging as the exclusive system of choice. A 4-4-2 has been used on occasions.

Bellingham featured in a double pivot during the formative stages of his senior career but rarely since and, overall, it’s hard to envisage Ancelotti – or his potential successor – deviating from a midfield three next season given their riches at the position.

The club isn’t exactly blessed with a natural number ten either if a switch to a 4-2-3-1 was…