Bellingham undergoes surgery: How will it affect Real Madrid?
Jude Bellingham’s patience reached its limit. The Real Madrid midfielder, smiling, announced in the press conference after the 3-1 victory over Pachuca in the Club World Cup that he would undergo surgery.
Bellingham, named Man of the Match, referred to the shoulder injury that had been bothering him since November 2023. He confirmed what had been rumored: the need for surgery.
“I’ve reached the point where the pain isn’t so strong. I’m tired of the protection. The players pull it and it moves all the time. With the heat it’s very hard. I’m losing a lot of weight from the sweat… I have surgery scheduled for after the tournament. I’ll fix it. It was about time”.
Jude Bellingham
The operation was performed last week. Bellingham shared a photo on Instagram from his hospital bed, announcing that the recovery process has already begun. The player is expected to be out for 10 to 12 weeks, returning in early October. This means missing eight LaLiga matches and two Champions League matches.
Real Madrid chose to keep Bellingham available for the Club World Cup, despite the surgery, and will now face a considerable part of the next LaLiga season without him.
The new coach, Xabi Alonso, has already described Bellingham as “a fundamental part of the team.” The player started in all six Club World Cup matches, scoring a goal and providing a key assist.
Bellingham’s role, in a scheme that varied between 4-3-3 and 3-5-2, was consistent: to play in an advanced midfield position, ahead of two more defensive midfielders.
“I see Bellingham as a midfielder. He has the ability to cover a lot of ground, but he has to start in the right place. He has the soul of a central midfielder. He likes to participate in the build-up and can get into the area, but where he starts will be important. That will help him”.
Xabi Alonso
Bellingham will start the season in recovery, and Alonso will have to build a team without him, at least for now. Who are the candidates to take his place?
The absence of Jude Bellingham due to his shoulder surgery opens up opportunities in midfield, which could be taken advantage of by several players.Jude Bellingham’s absence while he recovers from shoulder surgery will present an opportunity in midfield, which may just be taken by Arda Güler.Arda Güler: In his few weeks, Güler proved to be a strong candidate to be an important part of Alonso’s plans. He was left out of the starting eleven in the coach’s first match, but entered the field after 45 minutes and kept his place in the following five matches, accumulating 423 minutes in the tournament. Güler is expected to have an important role in the team, and without Bellingham, his presence in the starting eleven seems assured.Rodrygo: If Güler consolidated his position in the team, Rodrygo lost it. Bellingham’s absence gives him more chances to participate, especially if Alonso opts for a 4-3-3, and he has the profile to be effective between the lines. However, there is no guarantee that he will remain at Real Madrid when the season begins.Gonzalo García: He was Real Madrid’s best player at the Club World Cup, taking advantage of Mbappé’s absence. Bellingham’s surgery opens a door for him. Like Rodrygo, his starting would mean playing with a 4-3-3 and weakening the midfield.Franco Mastantuono: The River Plate youngster will join Madrid when he turns 18. It’s not clear if Alonso sees him as an immediate starter, but his inclusion would suggest a switch to 4-3-3.Dani Ceballos: Ceballos is expected to be one of the players who could leave Madrid this summer. He played only 70 minutes in four Club World Cup matches, which suggests that Alonso is not convinced.Eduardo Camavinga: He hasn’t played since April due to a groin injury. Bellingham’s absence should be the perfect opportunity for Camavinga to get into the team.Brahim Díaz: Alonso used Díaz as a substitute in the Club World Cup. That seems to be the most likely role for Díaz, 25, when LaLiga begins, although he has the versatility to be a useful link between midfield and attack in a 3-5-2 or 4-3-3. A starting position, especially with the arrival of Mastantuono and the emergence of García, seems unlikely.
The idea that a single player can replace Bellingham is absurd. Replacing Bellingham will be a collective effort, which will depend on the state of the match and the opponent, as much as on the characteristics of each player.
Madrid will miss Bellingham’s goalscoring ability, his passing range, leadership, and competitive spirit. However, his absence could give Alonso the freedom to be creative in finding solutions.
