JUDE BELLINGHAM has been tipped to make a quick return to his best form – providing new boss Xabi Alonso plays him in his best position.
The Real Madrid star endured a mixed season at the Bernabeu as Los Blancos missed out on the LaLiga title.
He struggled to replicate the stunning impact of his first campaign in Spain, which led to criticism from sections of the Madrid media.
And former Real winger Victor Sanchez del Amo believes the England midfielder was frustrated on the field for much of the campaign, during which Real failed to win any silverware for the first time in four years.
Bellingham, 21, will hope to get back to his best at the Club World Cup, with his first game against Saudi side Al-Hilal in Miami tomorrow.
Sanchez del Amo, 49, told SunSport: “I really saw a change in Bellingham in his second season.
“In the first season he was outstanding, playing in his natural position as a midfielder with a free role to move through the central corridor.
“But last season, he played many times as a left midfielder.
“He had a different tactical role and he wasn’t happy there.
“Real had lost Toni Kroos and didn’t replace his role in the build-up play. They struggled for balance between defence and attack.
“Bellingham realised that and tried to help the team by dropping his position, but this was also uncomfortable for him.
“You could see that his body language on the pitch was very different.
“In the first season he always showed a great fighting spirit, helping his team-mates, supporting everyone and leading on the pitch.
“But in this second season he had different behaviour. He spent a lot of time complaining, got more cards and picked fights with opponents.
“I felt he was not happy in his new role — and that showed.”
Bellingham has delayed shoulder surgery so he can play in the CWC.
Along with Al-Hilal, Real will face Mexican side Pachuca and Red Bull Salzburg in the initial group phase.
And new manager Alonso, who has replaced Brazil boss Carlo Ancelotti, will be under immediate pressure to mount a serious challenge in Fifa’s lucrative revamped event.
Sanchez del Amo — who manages Slovenian champions Olimpija Ljubljana but has ambitions to coach in England — feels Alonso can boost Real’s attacking threat by allowing Bellingham to play to his strengths.
He added: “Last season Real signed Kylian Mbappe but it was difficult to find balance because he and Vini Junior like to occupy the same spaces.
“They are not natural strikers, so many times Real had nobody in the box. They would get into crossing positions but the box was empty.
“Bellingham can improve that. He has a huge capacity to score goals.
“His best position is very clear — he has to be an attacking midfielder, with freedom in the central corridor to join the second line in the box.
“I don’t think we’ll see him playing wide any more.”
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