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Jude Bellingham has described working under new boss José Mourinho as a "dream" as Real Madrid gear up for the 2026–27 campaign.
The England star was the final player to rejoin the squad after the 2026 World Cup, but he is now fully integrated into training at Valdebebas. This marks the third time in four summers at Real Madrid that Bellingham has had to adapt to a new head coach.
Nevertheless, the midfielder was full of admiration for the ever-controversial Mourinho, whose influence is already evident across a heavily restructured squad.
"I'm really glad to be back with my teammates and to work with the new manager," Bellingham told Real Madrid TV. "I feel like I've already built a connection with him, and it's a dream to work under someone like Mourinho. I've only had one opportunity to meet him so far, but I'm incredibly excited to see what he brings.
"I have a great feeling about this season with the new arrivals and the coach."
Los Blancos brought in six new players this summer, acquiring Marc Cucurella, Yan Diomande, Bernardo Silva, Ibrahima Konaté, Denzel Dumfries and Carlos Espí. The first two represent clear improvements at left back and right wing respectively — two positions that have been persistent weaknesses for Real Madrid over the past two seasons.
Bellingham Hints at Early Difference Under Mourinho
When discussing preseason, Bellingham said, "I'm running a lot, dealing with the heat, and playing plenty of football with my teammates. It's demanding, but it's good to embrace it. I really enjoy this kind of challenge."
While the comment may seem straightforward, for a Real Madrid side long criticized for its lack of intensity, Bellingham's words already signal Mourinho's impact. Over the past two seasons, Los Blancos were repeatedly condemned for covering less ground than their opponents, even in high-stakes matches.
Bellingham frequently had to fill the gaps left by Kylian Mbappé and Vinícius Júnior, doing the thankless defensive work for his two attackers. The midfielder previously described himself as a "victim" of his own adaptability, with Carlo Ancelotti, Xabi Alonso and Álvaro Arbeloa deploying him across multiple positions to compensate for squad deficiencies.
Bellingham played as a false nine, a No. 10, a left midfielder, a central midfielder and even a makeshift fullback across his first three seasons in the Spanish capital. However, the team's over-dependence on the midfielder could finally ease if Mourinho succeeds in getting his players to fully commit to his high-pressing system.
Bellingham's attacking influence was central to Real Madrid's success in 2023–24. If Mourinho can relieve the 23-year-old of his excessive defensive responsibilities, he could once again unlock the midfielder's full potential — and in doing so, perhaps get the very best from his revamped squad.
Bellingham Reflects on the 2026 World Cup
Like several of Real Madrid's key players, Bellingham was delayed in returning to the club this summer due to the 2026 World Cup. The midfielder delivered an outstanding tournament for England, netting seven goals in eight games as his nation secured a third-place finish.
Even so, Bellingham was eager to move on from the tournament and shift his focus entirely to the season ahead.
"The World Cup was a fantastic experience for me and my England teammates, but I'm ready to come back and compete with Real Madrid," he said. "Hopefully, we can go out and win things."
Los Blancos have now endured back-to-back trophy-less seasons, cycling through three managers in the process. Bellingham missed considerable time in 2025–26 through injury, ultimately finishing the campaign with just nine goals and six assists — his lowest returns since joining from Dortmund in the summer of 2023.
Mourinho will be eager to see Bellingham return to his peak form in a white shirt, particularly with 19-year-old Diomande completing what promises to be a formidable attacking unit. The manager's bigger concern may not be Bellingham, but rather integrating the relatively inexperienced teenager alongside Mbappé and Vinícius Jr — two players who have historically struggled to find chemistry together.