Language barrier impacting Jude Bellingham’s ability to lead Real Madrid in absence of key figures

Real Madrid have struggled to show their usual unyielding character in recent weeks, with none of their trademark comebacks appearing in the closing stages against Barcelona, ​​AC Milan or Liverpool in recent weeks. While injuries are clearly hampering Los Blancos, part of that is due to a lack of leadership.

After veterans Nacho Fernandez, Joselu Mato and Toni Kroos left in the summer, Real Madrid's dressing room has become much lighter in terms of leadership, a problem exacerbated by Dani Carvajal's season-ending injury and continued veteran injury absence . David Alaba. Carvajal's emptiness in particular is clearly palpable both on and off the field.

According to The Athletic, Lucas Vazquez was one of the few who continued to raise his voice in recent weeks. The 33-year-old is loved by the entire team and has as much experience as anyone, except perhaps Luka Modric. The Croatian is described as a quiet leader, someone who is seen more in conversations with Carlo Ancelotti than the rest of the dressing room.

Fede Valverde captained Los Blancos against Leganes last week and is destined to take on a much bigger role in the dressing room, but is a naturally shy character off the pitch. Real Madrid also hope to get more from Kylian Mbappé, but he is mainly focused on his own performances. On the other hand, Vinicius Junior, increasingly the point of contact for his teammates on the field, is gaining more and more weight in the discussions in the locker room.

However, the one they hope to take up the mantle left behind by the generation of hugely successful veterans is Jude Bellingham. The England international has shown leadership by speaking to the media after the Liverpool defeat, and is not afraid to ask his teammates to raise standards if he feels they are not there. However, The Athletic notes that his lack of fluency in Spanish prevents him from dominating the locker room in the way he could.

One of the defining characteristics of Real Madrid over the past decade, during which they have won six Champions Leagues, has been the character of the team. While Modric and Carvajal are still around, it's no surprise that as that generation leaves, there are growing pains even without them. Los Blancos will be desperate to maintain as much of the winning streak that has been built up over a number of years as possible.