How Jude Bellingham has evolved from a central midfielder at Birmingham City to Real Madrid's main goal threat and key player.
Jude Bellingham has already led Real Madrid to a La Liga title this season and could yet be key to the club's quest to become champions of Europe for a 15th time when they face his former club Borussia Dortmund in the Champions League final at Wembley on 1 June.
As Bellingham worked with the youth coaches within Birmingham's academy, they wanted his game to incorporate elements of a defensive midfielder , a box-to-box number eight and a creative number 10. Add all three together, you get number 22."When he went to the first team at Birmingham, he played wide," former Birmingham left-back Paul Robinson, who coached the young Bellingham at the club, tells BBC Sport.
Bellingham also worked on aspects of his game that, four years later, are bearing fruit now at Real Madrid. "He was very young when he joined us. He gained experience really fast because he played almost every game. I think he improved in his decision making and also in his personality a little bit." "I wasn't expecting that. But the quality that he had, the mentality, you could see that he was something special."
Bellingham's average of 0.77 goals per 90 this season is a vast improvement on his previous high mark with Dortmund of 0.27. His expected goals per 90 average of 0.45 is a jump up from 0.27 in his final Bundesliga campaign.
United States Latest News, United States Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Jude Bellingham: The evolution of Real Madrid's ex-Birmingham and Borussia Dortmund midfielderHow Jude Bellingham has evolved from a central midfielder at Birmingham City to Real Madrid's main goal threat and key player.
Read more »
Cristiano Ronaldo transfer kickstarted Real Madrid dominance, now Jude Bellingham can begin new era...After Jude Bellingham's stellar season for Los Blancos, Graeme Souness has saluted the Englishman and already thinks he's building a legacy to be proud of.
Read more »
Jude Bellingham: Real Madrid & England midfielder win La Liga awardReal Madrid and England midfielder Jude Bellingham is voted La Liga's Player of the Season in his first year in Spain.
Read more »
Jude Bellingham: Real Madrid midfielder faces former club Borussia Dortmund having helped fill Karim Benzema voidJude Bellingham faces former club Borussia Dortmund in the Champions League final having helped fill Real Madrid's Karim Benzema void.
Read more »
Jude Bellingham: Real Madrid & England midfielder win La Liga awardReal Madrid and England midfielder Jude Bellingham is voted La Liga's Player of the Season in his first year in Spain.
Read more »
Real Madrid star Jude Bellingham reveals three-word message from Jadon Sancho ahead of Champions League...Jude Bellingham reveals the text message Jadon Sancho sent him ahead of the Champions League final between Real Madrid and Borussia Dortmund
Read more »