Jude Bellingham : A worthy spectacle whilst only getting started in Real Madrid
Jude Bellingham's move to Real Madrid in the summer raised a lot of eyebrows, with many believing spending €103 million in a deal which could still amount to €133.9 million if add-ons is activated is too much for the 19-year-old.
In a summer when Los Blancos parted ways with its best player since the departure of Cristiano Ronaldo in the summer of 2018, Karim Benzema left a bid void in the team following his move to Al Ittihad.
To worsen matters, the former French international left the club on a free transfer, having not signed the one-year extension offered by Real Madrid before accepting the move to the Middle East.
The 14-time UEFA Champions League winners were in need of a new striker in the summer, as fringe players like Eden Hazard and Mariano Diaz secured moves away, further free space at the club.
Marco Asensio is also one of the major departures. The Spanish playmaker decided not to renew his expired contract at the club as he wanted to get more playtime, something he could not be assured by Carlo Ancelotti.
He joined PSG Paris Saint-German as a free agent, bringing an end to his eight year association with the Spanish giants, though he spent one year on loan at Espanyol.
Jude Bellingham arrived very early in the summer after the agreement with German Bundesliga club, Borussia Dotmund.
A successful medical was followed by the signing of the necessary documents, and the move was confirmed official on the 7th of June.
He was soon joined by the likes of Fran Garcia, Arda Guler, Joselu and Brahim Diaz as players who arrived at the club this summer, whether returning from their respective loan moves or securing a permanent move to the club.
Kepa Arrizabalaga joined on a season long loan from Chelsea following the long-term injury to first choice Goalkeeper, Thibaut Courtios.
How many years contract did Jude Bellingham sign with Real Madrid ?
The English midfielder put to pen a six-year contract until the summer of 2029 with the Bernabeu landlords.
The move saw him become the six English player to secure a move to Real Madrid after the likes of Michael Owen, Jonathan Woodgate, David Beckham, Steve McManaman and Laurie Cunningham.
Jude Bellingham; so far, so good
Instant impact from the onset. Bellingham impressed on his unofficial debut as Real Madrid came back from two goals deficit to beat AC Milan in a pre-season friendly.
His first goal came days later when he opened the scoring after five minutes, chipping Andre Onana from the edge of the box in a 2-0 pre-season won over Manchester United in the United States.
On his official debut for the LaLiga record winners, Jude Bellingham scored in the first half to double Real's advantage in a 2-0 win over Athletic Club.
He was awarded the player of the match having been rated superior on performance than any other player that took part in their opening game of the season in San Mames.
He followed it up with an almost five star performance in matchday two as his brace helped Carlo Ancelotti's side come from behind to lead 2-1 against Girona, who had taken a three minute lead thanks to a goal from former Real Madrid youth star, Sergio Arribas.
Bellingham assisted Vinicius Júnior for a third to take the game beyond their host and sealed a comfortable 3-1 win.
Ahead of their third game of the campaign, he was already being tipped as the star to make things happen for the club as fans barely have the reason to question the club of not signing another striker aside Joselu in the summer.
Real Madrid struggled to breakdown a resolute Celta Vigo defense but cometh the hour cometh the man, Jude Bellingham produced a late winner nine minutes from the end of normal time to ensure the visitors continued their perfect start to the campaign.
The fourth game of the season was his first in front of the Madrid fans, who have enjoyed watching their marquee signing star on enemies' grounds. It was time for them to enjoy the same showing in their historical home ground.
The match started with a setback as former Real striker Borja Mayoral fired Getafe in front inside the opening eleven minutes, rounding off Kepa before firing a low shot into the back of the net.
Jude Bellingham thought he had won his club an opportunity to restore parity midway through the half when the referee pointed to the spot after the former Borussia Dotmund star was seemingly brought down by a Carles Alena strayed leg inside the area.
However, the decision was overturned after a lengthy VAR check and the visitors finished the half with their one goal lead.
The host got the second half off to a perfect start and leveled matters after only two minutes into it.
Luka Modric's ball in following a corner kick situation fell to Joselu. The summer signing made no mistake as he fired home for 1-1, scoring his first goal for Madrid since last scoring for them in December, 2011 in a 5-1 win over Ponferradina in a Copa del Rey fourth round second leg meeting.
Jude Bellingham's moment came in the 90+5th minute and he scored the winning goal to deliver Madrid the points in an enthralling finale to things at the Bernabeu.
Good, clutch and getting better
Jude Bellingham goals has directly won nine of Real Madrid's 13 points so far this season and it is only going to get better.
Has been there when needed. In the absence of Vinicius Júnior, he stood up and took responsibility. Albeit it is fair to admit the former Birmingham City teenager was already outshining everyone at the club, in the league and maybe in the entirety of Europe before Vini's injury.
As Jude Bellingham continues to deliver consistently, the expectation is only going to get bigger and with the talent he has, chances are high that he will continue to excel.
At 20, his leadership acumen is superior to any of his mates or even many players in their 30s.
He is a superstar and more for Real Madrid and whether the deal stays at €103 million or the add-ons becomes activated and it reaches €133.9 million, there is no doubt that Los Blancos has signed a world beater in Jude Bellingham.
The years ahead behold promise and in the company of other youthful stars like Vinicius Júnior, Rodrygo Goes, Edouardo Camavinga, Arda Guler, Aurelien Tchouameni, Fran Garcia and Brahim Diaz, the future of the club is secured.
Bellingham won the LaLiga Player of the month for August following his four goals and one assist performance in the three games played during the month.
In the process, he became the first Englishman to win the award. More is incoming for the 20-year-old though and he will take some beating for the Golden Boy award.
Hassan Afolabi
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