Carlo Ancelotti defends Jude Bellingham’s lack of goals
Carlo Ancelotti defends Jude Bellingham’s lack of goals. Real Madrid head coach Carlo Ancelotti is unconcerned by the drop in goal form from Jude Bellingham so far this season, insisting the England international is still ‘doing very well‘.
Bellingham made an unbelievable start to life in his Madrid career a year ago, having not long come out of his teenage years. Although not previously known as a prolific goalscorer, the former Birmingham City prodigy scored five times in his first four La Liga appearances.
By the time of his 15th game for the club, he had already netted 14 times to break a club record jointly held by Cristiano Ronaldo, Alfredo di Stefano and Pruden.
A big part of that was Bellingham’s advanced role on the pitch, which has now changed. As a result, he’s still searching for a first club goal of the season, having only scored for England.
Addressing the media ahead of Saturday’s Clasico clash against Barcelona, Ancelotti said;
“He’s doing very well, making progress, his condition is very good now even though he’s not scoring goals, his job is very important and he knows it very well.
“Last year we lost an important striker like Karim [Benzema] and we replaced him with the goals of Jude, Brahim [Diaz] and Joselu. Now we have a striker who can score 35 or 40 goals.”
Mbappe has scored 39 or more goals in each of the last six seasons and already has eight to his name in Madrid colours from 13 appearances. Even so, there is a feeling that the Frenchman is yet to hit top gear, having struggled with his fitness after a busy year and minimal preparation.
“We are happy because he has scored goals,” Ancelotti.
“He was very present in the first two goals against Dortmund. We are already satisfied with what he is doing but he will do better because he has the qualities to do it. But we are in no hurry.”
