Ruud Gullit has moved to defend Jude Bellingham after Real Madrid’s 2-1 home defeat to Manchester City, insisting the midfielder remains the club’s standout performer and is being overburdened by the work of those around him.
Bellingham set up Rodrygo for the opening goal at the Santiago Bernabeu, but Madrid were unable to hold their advantage as City overturned the early breakthrough.
The England international looked frustrated at the final whistle, reflecting the growing pressure around the team and Xabi Alonso after a difficult run of results.
Gullit, a two-time European Cup winner and the 1987 Ballon d’Or recipient, dismissed the idea that Bellingham’s attitude was at fault.
Speaking to BeIN Sports, he argued that too much defensive responsibility is falling on the 21-year-old because several attacking players contribute little without the ball.
“Mbappe is not doing a lot when he doesn’t have the ball. Vinicius Junior doesn’t do a lot, Rodrygo doesn’t do a lot, and lots of others have to work double. Bellingham is a victim of that,” he said.
He went on to suggest that Bellingham’s role has been disrupted since the departure of Toni Kroos. “He can’t play in the same way that he did that Kroos was there. When Kroos was there… they had a balance.”
The Dutchman also addressed Bellingham’s importance to England, stating that his place in the national side should not be questioned. “Bellingham is a certainty in the national team, and if [Tuchel] doesn’t do that [selecting him]that’s the wrong decision for me.”
Bellingham himself admitted that the defeat had left the squad trying to understand what went wrong. Speaking to TNT Sportshe said: “We’re still trying to work it out inside the changing room.
“We have everything we need to turn it around. I’ve got full faith that this season isn’t over just because we’ve been on a bad run.”
When asked whether he continued to support Xabi Alonso, who has come under scrutiny in recent weeks, Bellingham did not hesitate.
He added: “100%. The manager’s been great, I’ve got a great relationship with him.
We’ll have to take a bit of the s–t on the chin, but we will have to keep fighting and keep bouncing forward.”
