Jude Bellingham is closing in on a return, but for Real Madrid, the real question is: who will make way?

Jude Bellingham’s journey at Real Madrid has seen plenty of drama, brilliance, and, recently, a major setback. After battling a nagging left shoulder injury since late 2023, the English midfielder finally opted for surgery following the Club World Cup.

With his recovery expected to stretch through late October, there is intense anticipation about how his return could alter the contours of Xabi Alonso’s team. In a squad brimming with midfield talent and tactical possibilities, Bellingham’s comeback might just be the missing link, but it also presents silent dilemmas for Alonso as he pursues the perfect balance.

Lingering Shadow of the Shoulder Injury

Jude Bellingham’s shoulder woes date back to November 2023, when he first dislocated it during a La Liga clash. Despite missing a handful of matches, he returned with visible strapping and pushed himself through discomfort, balancing the demands of club and country.

“I’d got to the point where I was just fed up with the brace and having to wrestle with it,” Bellingham admitted after the Club World Cup, summing up the frustrations of competing less than fully fit.

The club’s medical update soon after confirmed he would undergo surgery to resolve the persistent issue, with an estimated recovery time of 10 to 12 weeks. That timeline rules him out of several early Liga and Champions League fixtures, but sets up a potential return in time for the season’s first El Clasico against Barcelona.

Timeline for Return: Madrid Keeps It Cautious

While reports have offered optimism about Bellingham’s progress and even suggest a possible early return, Real Madrid’s approach has been cautious. Medical staff, along with Alonso, have communicated a clear message: don’t rush it.

The club is keen to avoid setbacks, especially with Bellingham’s importance to both club and country. Early October is a target, with the star midfielder himself hungry to be back in time for marquee clashes, but late October or early November remains the most realistic window.

What Bellingham Brings: Versatility Personified

Jude Bellingham, at just 22, has already proven himself one of Europe’s most adaptable midfielders. He arrived at Real Madrid in 2023 after dominating Bundesliga midfields for Borussia Dortmund as a classic box-to-box player, one who could break up play, set the tempo, and ghost into attacking positions.

Under Carlo Ancelotti’s guidance, Bellingham transformed again, operating as a hybrid attacker and deep-lying finisher in Madrid’s system. With 23 goals and 13 assists during the 2023/24 campaign, he added direct scoring to his already formidable repertoire.

Now, with Xabi Alonso at the helm, the vision shifts once again. Alonso, renowned for his cerebral midfield control during his playing days, reportedly sees Bellingham playing a role closer to that at Dortmund, controlling the pace, dictating possession, and acting as the link between defence and attack. The challenge, however, is fitting him into a midfield puzzle that has become surprisingly robust in his absence.

The Midfield Conundrum

The emergence of a “core trio” in Bellingham’s absence has made matters both simpler and more complex for Alonso. Aurelien Tchouameni sits deepest, tasked with breaking up play and screening the defence.

Federico Valverde, the Uruguayan dynamo, remains an ever-present, contributing both defensively and offensively with his energy and directness.

Arda Guler, meanwhile, has flourished as a floating creator, roaming freely, linking with the forwards, and orchestrating in the final third. All three are seen as “untouchable” by the club, with Madrid set on building a project around their gifts.

Yet, this trio’s coexistence is finite. When Bellingham returns, one of these midfielders may be forced to cede their place, a selection headache that will shape Madrid’s identity for the rest of the season.

Dropping Tchouameni: Defensive Security at Stake

Tchouameni is a specialist at the base of midfield. His presence gives Madrid invaluable defensive solidity—he covers ground, wins duels, and distributes simply to launch attacks. Removing him for Bellingham would mean shifting Valverde or Bellingham into a role neither is naturally suited to: pure ball-winner.

While Bellingham is highly capable defensively, his strengths lie in box-to-box transitional play, not anchoring the midfield. A Tchouameni-less midfield risks leaving Madrid exposed, especially in big European nights when defensive control matters most.

Sacrificing Guler: Creativity in the Balance

On the flip side, dropping Arda Guler would mean losing the player who, in Bellingham’s absence, has provided a vital link between midfield and attack. Guler excels at drifting into pockets, combining with forwards, and making things happen in the final third. He also operates as a deep-lying playmaker with youthful flair.

Bellingham could cover many of these bases, but as an all-rounder, he is neither an outright No.10 nor a pure deep controller. Sacrificing Guler could dull the edge of Madrid’s creativity, especially against defensively stubborn sides.

The All-Rounder’s Dilemma

Crucially, Bellingham doesn’t fit neatly as a lone holding midfielder or as a classic No.10. He is, above all, an all-rounder: presses high, tackles hard, surges forward, and triggers transitions. This versatility is a blessing and a curse; it offers Alonso options but complicates the balance. While Alonso could try a four-man midfield or a diamond shape, that risks disrupting wide players and established tactical patterns.

Alonso’s Next Move: Balance or Brilliance?

Alonso’s vision seems to involve testing Bellingham in a deeper, metronomic role, echoing the player’s Dortmund days. By pulling Bellingham back, he could harness his ability to control tempo, allowing Valverde and Guler to play ahead. However, the trade-offs are clear: Defensive bite is lost if Tchouameni is benched; creative cohesion may falter without Guler.

Madrid’s approach in big games may be especially telling. Against weaker sides, Alonso may go adventurous, fielding Bellingham, Valverde, and Guler to increase attacking dynamism. In tighter contests, Tchouameni’s defensive value could see him preferred at the base, with Guler making way depending on opponent and situation.

The Stakes: Madrid’s Title Hopes Ride on the Solution

The statistics underline Bellingham’s value; he led Madrid in goals from midfield last season, and his creativity and drive are irreplaceable. Yet Real Madrid’s project is about more than any one player.

Alonso’s ability to blend the best traits of Bellingham, Valverde, Tchouameni, and Guler will shape not only the trophy count but also the style and identity of this new-look Madrid.

As the clocks tick towards late October, anticipation builds: Will Bellingham’s return bring harmony, or trigger fresh debates about how to fit the club’s most precious talents together?

What is certain is that, in Madrid’s ever-evolving midfield, no position is given; everything must be earned, and every decision will have ripple effects that echo through the season.