Carlo Ancelotti has stepped forward to defend Jude Bellingham's character, stating he never had a problem with the midfielder's attitude during their time together at Real Madrid. This public support comes amidst ongoing scrutiny of Bellingham's demeanour following comments from England manager Thomas Tuchel.
Ancelotti's Firm Defence
In a recent interview on the Rest Is Football podcast, the esteemed Italian manager was unequivocal in his praise for the former Birmingham City star. Ancelotti described Bellingham as really professional and a serial worker in training, placing him in the same category as all English players he has worked with. He emphatically stated he had no complaints about the player's conduct whatsoever.
Ancelotti went even further, drawing a flattering comparison to Brazilian legend Kaka. He highlighted Bellingham's fantastic talent, physical strength, and exceptional ability to arrive in the box at the perfect moment. The manager also acknowledged the player's recent shoulder problem, which kept him out for two to three months, but expressed confidence that Bellingham is now back to his best.
The Source of the Controversy
The context for Ancelotti's comments stems from questions raised about Bellingham's attitude after a 3-1 loss to Senegal in June. England head coach Thomas Tuchel's remarks following that match placed the 22-year-old's temperament under the microscope.
This led to Bellingham being omitted from the England squad for the international fixtures in both September and October. The Stourbridge-born player, who underwent shoulder surgery during the summer, was left out while he focused on his recovery and return to fitness.
Moving Forward and Current Form
Despite the previous exclusion, the situation appears to be resolving. Last Friday, Tuchel seemed to address the concerns directly, selecting Bellingham for the current squad and stating there is no problem with his character. Tuchel described Bellingham's 'edge' as a very good thing, necessary for reaching the heights he has, and emphasised the need to channel it positively.
Bellingham has made a strong return to action since his surgery in September. He has scored three goals and provided one assist in eleven appearances for his club. A particular highlight was his dazzling performance in El Clásico last month, where he both scored and assisted in Real Madrid's 2-1 victory over Barcelona.
He is now back with the Three Lions for two crucial World Cup qualifiers. England are set to face Serbia at Wembley Stadium on Thursday before travelling to play Albania in their final qualifier ahead of next summer's tournament in North America.
