Jude Bellingham was singled out for criticism by the Spanish press following Real Madrid’s humiliating 4-0 defeat at home to Barcelona.
Bellingham is still searching for his first goal for Real this campaign, which is a far cry from his debut season at the club, when he scored 23 times in all competitions.
The England international was eager to find the net against Barcelona but was unable to do so as his team were comprehensively beaten.
All four of Barcelona’s goals came in the second half, with Robert Lewandowski hitting a brace before Lamine Yamal and Raphinha added to Real Madrid’s woes.
Marca believe that only one person is to blame for Bellingham’s struggles.
Jude Bellingham has been labelled a ‘shadow of his former self’ by the Spanish press
Marca claim Real Madrid manager Carlo Ancelotti is at fault for not playing Bellingham in the correct position.
The publication stated that Bellingham’s work-rate cannot be questioned but stressed that he is effectively operating as a full-back at times, which isn’t helping his performances.
Journalist Juan Ignacio Garcia-Ochoa wrote in Marca: ‘Bellingham is a shadow of the player who burst onto the scene last season at The Bernabeu. And the fault lies not with him, but with the way he is being managed.
‘Every day he plays in a position that is not his and the boy, although he gives his all, does not shine. Playing close to the right flank, playing as a full-back for many minutes, is a joke in bad taste that Ancelotti must correct immediately.
‘The fact that a player who last year scored almost twenty goals has not scored any when we are almost in November is something that deserves serious analysis.’
Marca believe that Real Madrid boss Carlo Ancelotti is at fault for Bellingham’s struggles
Marca hailed 17-year-old Lamine Yamal, who scored for Barcelona, as ‘a chosen one’
In contrast, the publication were full of praise for Barcelona star Lamine Yamal.
The 17-year-old, who was part of the Spain side that won Euro 2024, is unfazed by the big stage and managed to get on the scoresheet against Real.
Marca wrote on Yamal: ‘He is a chosen one. He showed it at the Euros, he continued to show it at the start of the League and he confirmed it at the Bernabeu.
‘He did not have his best game, but three strokes were enough to silence the Bernabeu.
‘His goal with his right foot was a declaration of intent: Madrid is going to suffer a lot with him.’
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