Jude Bellingham Dealing With Unfair ‘Demands’ at Real Madrid

Following a remarkable run of goal scoring, Ruud van Nistelrooy has urged Real Madrid supporters to “value” Jude Bellingham’s rookie season.

With 22 goals and ten assists in his incredible first season at Real, Bellingham has helped the team win La Liga and advance to the Champions League semifinals. The England international, however, has witnessed a decline in form since February; in that time, he has scored two goals in the league, suffered an ankle injury, and was sent off against Valencia, which resulted in a two-game suspension.

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Van Nistelrooy, though, believes that Bellingham is dealing with unfair “demands”, as he is expected to run the midfield, score goals, and provide assists. While the Dutchman believes he is good enough to do all three, he has urged Real fans to keep his performances in perspective.

Former Real and Manchester United striker Van Nistelrooy told AS: “I don’t think it (his form) has gone down. In fact, against Cádiz he scored again as soon as he went out on the field and now has 18 goals. In what sense does he perform less? You have to put things in perspective.

“That Jude has so many goals is an extra, a bonus. He is a splendid all-rounder, who arrives phenomenally on the second line, he runs, he defends, he has a vision of the game, he makes quick transitions… We cannot demand that he be a scorer and, nevertheless, he is one.

“His season is spectacular and must be valued in the right way for him. It doesn’t matter that (Carlo) Ancelotti has changed his role, he performs wherever he is put, because he is an exceptional player.”

Real play Bayern in the second leg of their Champions League semi-final on Wednesday, with the tie evenly poised at 2-2 from a chaotic first leg, and Bellingham could have a key role to play once again in their bid to reach the showpiece at Wembley.