Real Madrid boss Carlo Ancelotti claims Jude Bellingham ‘covers the absence of Karim Benzema’ after the midfielder’s bright start to the season
- Jude Bellingham has started the season brightly with two goals and an assist
- Ancelotti says Real Madrid view the midfielder as a replacement for Benzema
- WATCH: ‘It’s All Kicking Off’ – Episode 2 – Mail Sport’s brand new football show
Real Madrid boss Carlo Ancelotti has claimed Jude Bellingham has made up for Karim Benzema’s absence after his impressive start to the season.
The 14-time Champions League winners were dealt with a blow this summer when Karim Benzema ended his 14-year stay in the Spanish capital to join Saudi Arabian side Al-Ittihad.
But the Spanish giants beat off competition from a number of clubs to sign Bellingham from Borussia Dortmund for £113million.
The England international has started the season brightly with three goals and an assist in Real’s opening two LaLiga matches.
Ancelotti claims Real have never given a thought to signing Napoli striker Victor Osimhen as a replacement for Benzema as Bellingham makes up for the Frenchman’s absence.
Jude Bellingham has started the season brightly with three goals and an assist in two matches
Carlo Ancelotti (left) says the midfielder has made up for the absence of Karim Benzema
Benzema ended his 14-year stay with Real Madrid this summer to join Saudi side Al-Ittihad
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‘The generational change that they did was very strong. They signed great players and have one of the best forwards in Europe: Osimhen’, Ancelotti said when asked about Napoli in an interview with Spanish outlet AS.
‘[Real Madrid and I] never thought about signing the Nigerian, within the club we think the arrival of Jude Bellingham covers the absence of Benzema, without creating too many parallels.’
Ancelotti added: ‘He’s a serious, mature boy with quality. What he’s doing doesn’t surprise those who know him, what’s surprising is that he’s only 20-years-old.
Real Madrid sit top of Laliga after kicking off the season with back-to back wins against Almeria and Athletic Bilbao.
Bellingham, unlike with Borussia Dortmund and England, has been used in an advanced role behind strike pair Vinicius Junior and Rodygo.
The former Birmingham City midfielder will hope to continue his bright form when Real travel to Rafa Benitez’s Celta Vigo on Friday.
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