Bellingham’s signing marked a serious step in President Florentino Perez's plan to build a new Galacticos project.
Around £88 million was spent on securing the young British talent, making him one of the most expensive British players at just 19 years old, surpassing the £100 million Manchester City paid for Jack Grealish.
Real Madrid competed with Liverpool for Bellingham’s signature, but the Spanish capital ultimately won the race. Manager Carlo Ancelotti praised Bellingham, recognizing him as one of the best teenage midfielders.
“Bellingham is one of them,” Ancelotti told Sky Sports on June 14, 2023. “But I’ll stick with my midfielders, who are very good, especially the youngsters.”
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Bellingham’s arrival had a significant impact on Real Madrid’s achievements. In his debut season, he helped the club win the Spanish Super Cup, La Liga, and the UEFA Champions League, a remarkable feat for a player in his first year with the team.
A New Tactical Approach
Ancelotti’s tactical adjustments were key to this success. He shifted from the traditional 4-3-3 formation to a diamond 4-4-2, with Bellingham thriving in the attacking midfielder role.
This change allowed Vinicius Junior and Rodrygo to play as center forwards.
In this new setup, Bellingham excelled, scoring 19 goals in La Liga, placing him third in the top scorer list alongside FC Barcelona’s Robert Lewandowski.
“I want to win way more, and I want to continue to push the boundaries of my own potential and talent,” Bellingham told UEFA.com after winning his first UCL trophy.
A Competitive Squad and Healthy Internal Rivalry
To further strengthen the team, Florentino Perez added key players like Joselu on a loan, Fran Garcia from Rayo Vallecano, and Brahim Diaz, who had a successful spell at AC Milan.
These additions created a competitive environment within the squad.
The midfield, in particular, saw intense competition. Young talents like Camavinga, Tchouaméni, Dani Ceballos, and Bellingham were joined by Turkish wonderkid Arda Guler, all vying for a place in the starting eleven.