Bellingham returns to Real Madrid with a goal and four assists for England

Jude Bellingham returns to Real Madrid with a goal, four assists and the admiration of his England teammates after an international break that raised the expectations around the midfielder. The 7-0 win over Croatia became a personal showcase that reinforced José Mourinho's commitment to placing him where he can decide matches best: in the attacking midfield role, close to the opposition box.

• Bellingham was directly involved in four England goals against Croatia: one goal and three assists.
• Alex Scott, his England teammate, called him the best midfielder in the world and a benchmark for young English players.
• Mourinho prefers Bellingham close to the box and has adjusted defensive duties to keep his influence central.
• Before the break, Bellingham had three goals and two assists in eight matches for Real Madrid.
• The midfielder's return points directly to the upcoming match against Villarreal.

Bellingham's standout display against Croatia raises the bar

In Rijeka, against Luka Modric's national team, Bellingham found different ways to get close to goal. He slipped the pass through for Harry Kane to open the scoring and then appeared to convert an Anthony Gordon delivery for the second goal. Before the break he set up Bukayo Saka, and near the end he released Morgan Rogers to complete the 7-0 rout.

The four actions painted the picture of a footballer capable of influencing the entire attacking front. The pass between the lines, the arrival into the box, the combination down the left and the ball over the top of the defense were all part of a single performance. Croatia suffered as much from his decisions on the ball as from his movements to receive it.

England's admiration: 'His talent is frightening'

Alex Scott found the words to explain what he saw from his deeper position. The Bournemouth midfielder shared the Rijeka triumph with Bellingham in his first England start and left the pitch impressed by his teammate's level.

On the pitch, Bellingham's talent is frightening and sets the standard we should all aspire to.

Scott considered Bellingham the best midfielder in the world and argued that he impresses even more when watched closely. Both are 23 years old, but for him his teammate already represents a benchmark for young English players.

Bellingham also shone against Spain despite the defeat

His influence also appeared against Spain, despite England's 2-3 defeat. He assisted Gordon for the equalizer and won the penalty that Kane smashed against the crossbar while England were leading. Bellingham was at the heart of the actions that could have changed the outcome of a night that ultimately favored Luis de la Fuente's side.

His clash with Marc Cucurella after a challenge from his Real Madrid teammate also led Thomas Tuchel to explain how he views that intensity. The England manager felt that challenges fuel his competitiveness and ignite a character that needs to be involved, demand the ball and take responsibility.

Mourinho's plan for Bellingham close to the opposition box

The Portuguese coach preserves Bellingham's versatility but has a clear preference. In the derby he was the attacking midfielder in the 4-2-3-1, ahead of Federico Valverde and Aurélien Tchouaméni, although against Inter he featured as an interior midfielder in a 4-3-3.

Mourinho reorganized the Englishman's defensive tasks to keep his influence in central areas. From there he can press, recover and connect with Kylian Mbappé, Vinícius and Arda Güler, while also arriving in the box with energy to finish. The coach's idea is clear: Bellingham has goals in him and must play close to goal.

What Bellingham has at stake on his return against Villarreal

England reinforced Mourinho's approach and added a demand for the return against Villarreal: sustain the level he has just shown. Before the break, Bellingham had three goals and two assists in eight matches for Real Madrid, with 619 minutes split between La Liga and the Champions League.

He scored against Espanyol, Málaga and Rayo Vallecano and produced a direct goal involvement roughly every 124 minutes. His usual role under Mourinho resembles the one he occupies behind Kane for England, and his return to the club comes with the focus on maintaining that attacking output.