Real Madrid legend tips Alonso on best position for Jude Bellingham

Real Madrid legend Michael Salgado wants to see Xabi Alonso use Jude Bellingham in the role Carlo Ancelotti utilised him in his first six months at the club. 

The England international had one of the best debut seasons in LALIGA history, scoring 19 league goals. Most of those goals came in the first half of the season, when he operated in an advanced role, playing as a false nine or slightly withdrawn. 

During an interview with GiveMeSport, the former right-back said that he wants to see Bellingham feature in that role, as he has shown his quality in and around the box. 

“I need Bellingham close to the box. I don't need Bellingham coming back to receive the ball and to be too much in the build-up,” Salgado advised. “He showed in the first year that he is a player with a special smell to go into the box.

“With Xabi Alonso, I think he is going to play that role. I think he is going to be the key player behind Vinicius Junior and Kylian Mbappe. We're going to see a different Bellingham this year compared to last season. We're going to see the best version of Bellingham this year, for sure.”

Meanwhile, Alonso is a huge fan of the Englishman. Ahead of the Club World Cup, he highlighted Bellingham’s drive to improve as a key characteristic that will lead Real Madrid to many trophies.