Jude Bellingham, England and Real Madrid player
Photo by Carl Recine/Getty Images
Real Madrid superstar Jude Bellingham has not put a foot wrong since the World Cup in North America in the summer.
He has been scoring and creating chances for fun for both England and Real Madrid, and that trend has carried into the international break.
Bellingham has produced another reminder of his extraordinary attacking influence, with the Madrid midfielder making England history after recording four goal involvements in a single match, which came against Croatia (1G, 3A).
According to Opta, Bellingham became the first England midfielder to achieve the feat since David Platt recorded four goal involvements against San Marino in February 1993.
Bellingham ends 33-year wait
That means more than three decades have passed since an England midfielder last managed what Bellingham has just produced.
That statistic is another illustration of why Bellingham cannot simply be judged as a conventional central midfielder.
4 – Jude Bellingham is the first midfielder to record four goal involvements in a match for England since David Platt scored four against San Marino in February 1993. Phenomenal. https://t.co/2LNCXbEQXd
— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) October 3, 2026
His ability to arrive around the penalty area, create chances and directly influence goals gives him an attacking dimension that very few midfielders possess.
Four goal involvements in one international match is exceptional regardless of the opposition or circumstances.
Doing something no other England midfielder had managed since 1993 puts the performance on a much higher pedestal.
Mourinho has an extraordinary weapon
Mourinho already knows how valuable Bellingham can be when given the freedom to operate close to Madrid’s attack.
His ideal position will always be a dilemma. He has the physical qualities to contribute deeper, the technical ability to help progression and the intelligence to operate between the lines.
Jude Bellingham, England and Real Madrid player
Jude Bellingham has been brilliant for England and Real Madrid. (Photo by Carl Recine/Getty Images)
However, performances like this are precisely why Madrid should be careful about moving him too far away from goal.
Bellingham’s greatest quality might be that he does not need to dominate possession to dominate a football match. He knows the exact moment to be decisive.
International breaks can often make Madrid nervous, particularly when key players are involved, but Bellingham will return having enjoyed an extraordinary time with England.
The numbers speak for themselves. Madrid possess plenty of attacking talent, but Bellingham is the glue that holds everything together.
Mourinho’s task is to build a structure that maximises that, and judging by Bellingham’s start to the season, he has done it to a large extent.
It remains to be seen whether the England midfielder can sustain his form in the coming weeks and months for Real Madrid.
Real Madrid handed international break boost as five players return early
Vinicius Jr., Brazil and Real Madrid player
Photo by Albert Perez/Getty Images
It has been an unusually long September international break, but Real Madrid and Jose Mourinho will have begun preparing for club football to resume this weekend.
Los Blancos are gradually getting their squad back together after the international break, with Denzel Dumfries, Brahim Diaz, Bernardo Silva, Vinicius Junior and Endrick having now completed their national-team commitments.
All five players are set to return to Madrid, giving Mourinho an important group back as preparations resume ahead of a difficult game against Villarreal.
The timing is particularly useful for Mourinho because international breaks can leave coaches with very little time to work with their full squads.
Dumfries and Bernardo are two players whose roles remain particularly interesting.
Bernardo Silva, Real Madrid player
Bernardo Silva could become an important player for Real Madrid in the coming weeks. (Photo by Alex Caparros/Getty Images)
The Dutchman provides Mourinho with a powerful option on the right, while Bernardo’s ability to control possession could become increasingly valuable as Madrid continue searching for the right midfield balance.
Vinicius returning is equally significant. The Brazilian has endured a difficult opening period of the season by his standards.
Getting back to Madrid early and having the extra days of training could be beneficial in helping him rediscover his best level.
Endrick’s return could be especially important on an individual level.
The 20-year-old has barely featured for Madrid this season, playing only four official minutes, with injury also affecting his opportunities.
Endrick, Real Madrid player
Will Endrick get an opportunity under Jose Mourinho?. (Photo by Albert Perez/Getty Images)
His lack of football has already created questions about whether another loan could become necessary in January.
The coming weeks therefore represent an important period for the young striker. With Kylian Mbappe still recovering from an injury, he could get an opportunity against Villarreal.
Brahim’s return gives Mourinho another attacking option, while having five internationals back should also allow the manager to try out tactical ideas.
International breaks often force clubs to prepare for matches with players arriving in stages and carrying different workloads.
The length of this break has almost made this feel like a mini pre-season, and it remains to be seen what improvements we see from the team once club football resumes.