Jude Bellingham has arrived at the 2026-27 season with the air of a man determined to remind the world of his best. Two goals and three assists across Real Madrid's opening three La Liga fixtures — all wins — have signalled that the England midfielder is back to something close to his brilliant debut campaign.

The 21-year-old's resurgence is no accident. Since returning to Real Madrid for a second stint, Jose Mourinho has restructured the team specifically to unlock Bellingham, repositioning him as a number 10 in a 4-2-3-1 system and dramatically reducing the defensive burden that weighed on him in recent seasons.

Mourinho's deal with Bellingham

"We've organised the team differently," Mourinho said following Real Madrid's 4-0 La Liga victory over Malaga. "Bellingham sometimes defended like a second left-back last season. I told him I do not want to see that anymore. I made a deal with him."

Operating behind Kylian Mbappe, Bellingham now has the freedom to roam across the attacking line, receive the ball between the lines, and make late runs into the penalty area — without being dragged back deep to cover defensive duties.

"For me, this is his position," Mourinho added. "With his connection with the forwards, he can score goals. He has to play close to the goal. Playing at number six or number eight, we're losing his closeness to the goal. I like this Jude."

Bellingham's own verdict

The player himself has embraced the change. Speaking to Real Madrid TV, Bellingham described feeling liberated under the new system. "I feel more free to decide when to drop back, when to stay up or when to get into the box," he said. "I think this is the best position for me."

He also revealed his admiration for working under Mourinho, calling it a "dream" — despite having met the former Chelsea, Manchester United, and Tottenham manager only once before his appointment at the Bernabeu.

Mourinho has been equally effusive, labelling Bellingham a "unique and super important player" with physical, mental, and tactical qualities that set him apart. The Portuguese coach even suggested his midfielder deserves to be among the candidates for the Ballon d'Or.

World Cup confidence carries over

Bellingham's strong start also builds on an exceptional FIFA World Cup, where he finished as one of England's standout performers — scoring seven goals and contributing one assist across eight appearances. That tournament appears to have reignited his confidence heading into a new club season.

Mourinho has pointed to how England manager Thomas Tuchel deployed Bellingham at the World Cup as a blueprint for getting the best from the 23-year-old, giving him the freedom to influence games in the final third rather than tracking back endlessly.

Real Madrid's opening La Liga stretch — 10 goals scored, two conceded across three matches — represents only a small sample. Stiffer tests lie ahead as UEFA Champions League commitments stack up. But the platform Mourinho has built, and the understanding that appears to be growing between manager and player, suggests this partnership could flourish.

"The team dynamic is about 11, not 2+9," Mourinho said, stressing that Bellingham's connection with Mbappe and Vinicius Jr must be a collective effort rather than individual brilliance.

For Bellingham, after two inconsistent seasons disrupted by a shoulder operation in 2025 and a hamstring injury that cost him 10 matches in 2026, the joy of playing is unmistakable. "I'm having a lot of fun, I'm really enjoying my football, and that's why I'm performing well," he told club media. If this early form is anything to go by, his best Real Madrid season may still be ahead of him.