I Am Scouted by Real Madrid

Barcelona clearly knows this, and they have made two plans: one is to intercept the passing routes of the ball, and the other is to keep Chen Zhong guarded.

After Juleer got the ball, he passed it to Bellingham beside him, Bellingham drove forward with the ball, instantly putting Barcelona on high alert.

"Real Madrid’s attack."

"Bellingham got the ball."

"He moved forward with the ball."

"But Barcelona will not let him pass easily."

Last season, Bellingham fell into a predicament. In football, hailed as the "world’s number one sport," it’s always filled with endless charm and uncertainty.

He’s not Chen Zhong, he can’t replicate Chen Zhong’s principles. He once had a short-lived "goal-scoring machine" career, but last season, he fell into a goal drought.

Bellingham’s happiest moment should have been the season before last. With astonishing goal efficiency, he led the La Liga scoring chart, becoming a weapon in Real Madrid’s attack.

Entering the 2024-25 season, his form noticeably declined. With 11 appearances in various competitions, totaling 969 minutes, he still couldn’t find the feeling of scoring.

This sudden change puzzled the fans and made the media start questioning his performance.

In such an important match as the national derby, Bellingham’s performance became the focus of attention.

His performance in the match stunned people.

Due to his position retreating and heavy defensive tasks, he became distant from the goal and away from scoring opportunities.

This change not only affected his personal performance but also had an impact on Real Madrid’s overall tactics.

After the match, Diario AS revealed the answer through a position map.

In this match, Bellingham’s average position was farther back than most of his teammates, equivalent to a dragging defensive midfielder.

This change made him take on heavy defensive tasks, needing to protect the offensively strong but defensively weak Vazquez and also to look after the essentially non-defensive Mbappe.

Thus, Bellingham had to focus his energy on defense, far from the goal, and naturally, far from scoring.

Bellingham was a free-spirited attacking free agent in the season before last.

Just like his predecessor Chen Zhong, he could freely showcase his talents in attack.

In the 442 formation crafted by Ancelotti, he played in a diamond midfield, 20 meters closer than his current position, capable of directly attacking the goal.

With the Brazilian twin stars on the wings, Bellingham could seize opportunities and perform solo rescue acts.

With Mbappe’s joining, the existing balance of Real Madrid was disrupted, and Bellingham’s position changed accordingly.

Mbappe’s joining undoubtedly brought powerful attacking force to Real Madrid, but it also brought new problems.

Due to Mbappe’s frequent offsides, Real Madrid needed to strengthen defense in midfield to ensure team balance. This change made Bellingham’s position retreat, transforming him from an attacking midfielder to a defensive midfielder.

This role shift is undoubtedly a huge challenge for Bellingham.

Faced with this challenge, Bellingham did not give up.

He worked hard to adapt to the new role, striving to contribute in defense.

In the national derby, he tracked back multiple times for defense, successfully stopping Barcelona’s attacks. Although his efforts didn’t help the team win, his performance earned the fans’ respect.

Bellingham’s predicament reminds us of another great player—Zinedine Zidane. In the early career, Zidane was also an offensive player, but as he aged and his role changed, he gradually transformed into a defensive midfielder and achieved great success in that role.

Zidane’s experience tells us that a role change isn’t necessarily a bad thing, the key is how to adapt and seize opportunities.

For Bellingham, his predicament might just be a temporary phase.

As he gradually adapts to the new role and the team adjusts its tactics, he is expected to regain the feeling of scoring and play a greater role in attack. His contributions in defense will also provide strong support for the team’s stability and development.

However, never forget that he still possesses the skill to charge forward.

This charge was very subtle, Barcelona fans were startled, trying to have teammates stop Bellingham, but Bellingham did not intend to continue dribbling.

He didn’t opt for a direct pass either.

But instead a lob pass.

"Bellingham!"

"Attracted the attention of several players."

"Directly chose to lob pass!"

The ball flew over Gavi’s head, heading towards Chen Zhong, who leaped high under the watch of two defenders, then made a header pass.

The ball was knocked towards a vacant space on the side.

And a pure white figure was charging forward at full speed.

"Mbappe!!!"

"It’s Mbappe!"

The commentator’s voice cracked while the whole stadium was captivated by the sudden forward charge of Mbappe.

Chen Zhong’s role as a focal point in the center forward position was unparalleled, and when he played the ball to Mbappe, there was only the goal ahead of Mbappe.

Facing the goal, Mbappe didn’t hesitate, and he took a shot.

The ball flew out, into the net under the goalkeeper’s fearful gaze.

3:4

Real Madrid pulled one back.

With Chen Zhong on the field for less than 3 minutes, they used an attacking opportunity to recover one goal.

Real Madrid fans in the stands were excited. Although it wasn’t Chen Zhong’s goal, everyone could see how crucial Chen Zhong’s header pass was.

His vision is very broad, his body still strong, and his jump ability surprisingly good.

He delivered the ball in the most comfortable way to Mbappe’s feet.

And Mbappe looked at Chen Zhong, and the only word in his heart was "爽" (satisfactory/enjoyable).

This pass landed just in front of him without too much spin, enabling him to shoot directly without adjusting. Such a pass, he only experienced from Messi and some other highly skilled passers.

"The ball is in, in, in, in, in!"

"Mbappe’s goal, Chen Zhong’s assist!"

"Bellingham lobbed one pass forward to Chen Zhong."

"Chen Zhong made a header pass."

"Mbappe took the ball and kicked it."

"Changing the score to 3:4"

"With one goal difference, there’s still time!"

Flick shouted loudly on the sideline, signaling players to concentrate while also glancing at Chen Zhong. A thought popped into his mind: truly his!

When Chen Zhong is on the field, Real Madrid seems to be lubricated, incredibly smooth.

Alonso on the other side of the coaching bench also gently clapped, looking at Chen Zhong with eyes full of nostalgia. When playing for Real Madrid, Alonso was actually Chen Zhong’s deputy.

Generally, if Chen Zhong didn’t have a good pass option, he would give the ball to Alonso, letting Alonso organize from behind or directly make a long pass.

But apart from the very beginning giving Alonso some opportunities, later on, it almost ceased.

Why?

Because Chen Zhong could completely control the whole field.

Alonso just needed to do his boring defensive job.

But Alonso wasn’t angry because the other’s skill was indeed formidable; he truly felt convinced. Even after retiring, he hoped more than once that his players could have someone like Chen Zhong.

Hehe.

It can be considered a dream come true now.

The match continued, but everyone knew the rhythm of attack and defense had changed.

Barcelona fans were no longer shouting; watching the conceded goal seemed to take them back to years ago when the team was repeatedly defeated by Chen Zhong.

This man seems to be back.

How is he not worn out yet?