Jude Bellingham Embraces Tactical Shift Under Xabi Alonso at Real Madrid

England star adjusts to deeper role as Real Madrid pursue new era of control under Alonso

After a whirlwind two seasons under Carlo Ancelotti that saw him explode onto the scene in La Liga and Europe, Jude Bellingham now finds himself in the midst of a stylistic transformation at Real Madrid. With Xabi Alonso stepping into the manager’s seat at the Santiago Bernabéu, the England international is tasked with evolving his game once again — and the early signs suggest he’s more than up for the challenge.

Bellingham, who was instrumental in Madrid’s recent domestic and continental success, is expected to take on a slightly redefined role under Alonso. Known for his forward surges, late runs into the box, and a remarkable 38-goal tally across two seasons, the 22-year-old is now preparing to operate in a system that prioritises positional discipline, fluid control, and tempo management.

From Ancelotti’s freedom to Alonso’s precision

Jude Bellingham Real Madrid 2025 FIFA Club World Cup

Under Ancelotti, Bellingham flourished in a more advanced position — often deployed as a hybrid No.10 or even a shadow striker. This allowed him to arrive late in the box, wreak havoc in transition, and play with instinctive freedom. The Italian manager gave him license to follow his gut, and it worked spectacularly.

But with Alonso now steering the ship, a more structured approach is on the table.

“With this new style, we want to play between the lines, we want to have control,” Bellingham recently told reporters. “But Xabi says we shouldn’t lose the ability to attack the goal when we have the opportunity to speed up the game. We want to take advantage of that. We want to have control during the game.”

It’s a statement that underlines the tactical shift. Alonso, fresh from guiding Bayer Leverkusen to a historic Bundesliga title, is known for his meticulous midfield setups — ones that combine possession-based patience with clinical verticality. For Bellingham, the challenge is now to blend his natural attacking instincts with greater positional awareness and responsibility.

Bellingham on Alonso: “You feel drawn to his energy”

Xabi Alonso Real Madrid 2025 FIFA Club World Cup

Despite the early changes, Bellingham seems fully bought in. And it’s easy to see why. Alonso, once the heartbeat of Madrid’s and Spain’s midfield, is the type of coach who demands intelligence and commitment but also brings a player’s perspective to the dugout.

“Xabi is a very nice person, he has a great way of talking to the players,” said Bellingham. “For me, the thing that attracts me about him is his energy towards football. He is very active. He is moving, he gets involved so he can see and feel the game better. When you see a coach like that, you feel drawn to his energy.”

This admiration cuts both ways. Alonso has already hinted at the pivotal role Bellingham will play in his project — but not necessarily in the same swashbuckling form we saw last season. The idea is to make Bellingham a central cog in a more balanced machine, one that controls matches from midfield and presses opponents into submission rather than simply overpowering them in the final third.

Will Real Madrid’s “new style” pay off?

With so much success under Ancelotti — including league titles, Champions League runs, and silverware in Spain and beyond — there’s a natural question looming over Alonso’s tactical refresh: will it work?

There’s always risk in fixing something that doesn’t appear broken. But Madrid’s hierarchy believes Alonso’s methods are the next step in keeping the club dominant as the next generation — including the likes of Arda Güler, Eduardo Camavinga, and Aurélien Tchouaméni — grows into its prime.

Bellingham’s willingness to adapt is a promising sign. He’s already proven he can score goals, lead a midfield, and thrive under pressure. Now, if he can master the art of control and link-up play while maintaining his goal threat, he could become one of the most complete midfielders in the modern game.

Club World Cup test looms large

The FIFA Club World Cup may not carry the glamour of a Champions League final, but for Alonso, it offers the chance to kick-start his Madrid tenure with a trophy — and to test his tactical blueprint on a big stage.

Up next is a last-16 clash with Juventus, a showdown that promises intensity and quality in equal measure. For Bellingham, it’s another opportunity to show he can dictate the tempo, rather than simply dominate in the attacking third.

His role against Flamengo, in Madrid’s warm-up match, was noticeably deeper, often collecting the ball from the back line and distributing to the wings — a marked change from his usual high-pressing, goal-hungry position. It may take some adjusting, but if anyone has the football intelligence to pull it off, it’s Bellingham.

What’s next for Bellingham and Madrid?

As Madrid prepare for what could be a defining summer — with transfer rumours swirling around several stars and Alonso still shaping his squad — Jude Bellingham’s role looks set in stone.

He’s the beating heart of the midfield, a player who combines physicality, technique, and leadership in a way few others can. And under a coach like Alonso, who once orchestrated games with masterful simplicity, Bellingham might find the perfect mentor to guide the next phase of his career.

The 2024/25 season already brought him individual accolades and team honours. But 2025/26 under Alonso might just unlock the version of Bellingham that dominates for both Real Madrid and England — not just with goals, but with control, intelligence, and maturity.

The “new style” is here. And Jude Bellingham is ready to own it.