José Mourinho has revealed how he reshaped Jude Bellingham’s profile at Real Madrid, drawing inspiration from a situation he experienced at Benfica. The Portuguese coach, who managed the Lisbon club during the 2025-2026 season, explained that he asked the English player to adjust his defensive approach to align with his tactical vision.

The Benfica: Mourinho’s tactical laboratory

During his time at Benfica, Mourinho had fully leveraged one of Bellingham’s traits: his tendency to defend like a second left-back. “I agreed with him that, in my way of seeing football and in my way of seeing him, I no longer wanted to see him defending almost like a second left-back—which I’ve seen very often,” he said after Real Madrid’s 4-0 win over Málaga. “To be honest, in last year’s match where Benfica won in the group stage [4-2 at the Luz], we exploited this situation a lot, where Jude had to step out of midfield to defend on the left.” The coach then reorganized the team so that Bellingham could fully grasp his role and feel comfortable in this new assignment. “He likes everyone to do it. I’m very happy with everyone because everyone does it,” he added. This tactical adaptation quickly bore fruit at the start of the season. Bellingham, now more involved in build-up play and less often deployed as an occasional full-back, has found a balance that fits Mourinho’s philosophy. The Portuguese manager emphasized that the English player appreciated the new approach while stressing the importance of the team as a whole in making this transition successful.

A united Real Madrid, despite a perfect start to the season

While Real Madrid continues its winning streak with a 4-0 victory over Málaga, Mourinho was keen to temper premature enthusiasm. “It’s important that people enjoyed themselves, but if they have a vision of high-level football, they should also appreciate the second half. We saw a team working defensively, Vinícius losing the ball and coming back to defend it,” he analyzed. For the coach, football is not just about the beauty of goals but also about defensive cohesion and collective unity. “At Benfica, I didn’t lose a single match and finished third. Losses and injuries will happen; we must stay united,” he reminded everyone. This philosophy, applied right now, aims to prepare the team for future challenges. Mourinho, known for his pragmatism, is banking on a balanced approach between spectacle and rigor, even when results are flattering. Under his leadership, Real Madrid appears to be building a collective identity where every player, including Bellingham, plays a precise and controlled role. Watkins leaves Aston Villa for Al Hilal.

Bellingham, a key player in a team under construction

The changes Mourinho has made to Bellingham illustrate his method: adapting players to his system rather than the other way around. “He feels he’s doing something different thanks to my guidance. And he likes that everyone does it,” he stressed. This approach, successfully tested at Benfica, is now being applied at Real Madrid, where every detail matters. The English player, now more versatile and integrated into a collective dynamic, is becoming an essential link in the Madrid team. As the season has just begun, Mourinho remains grounded. “Football isn’t just about enjoying the beauty of goals; it’s also about going home knowing you’re part of a unit,” he concluded. A lesson in realism that could make all the difference in the months ahead. To learn more about Mourinho’s tactics, check out his Wikipedia profile.