Bellingham enjoying 'freedom' under Madrid boss Mourinho

Jude Bellingham revealed he is enjoying the "freedom" of his new role at Real Madrid under Jose Mourinho.

Los Blancos continued their perfect start in LaLiga since Mourinho's return, thrashing Malaga 4-0 at Estadio Bernabeu on Sunday.

Bellingham scored the opener in the victory, while Kylian Mbappe and Arda Guler both netted after an own goal from Malaga goalkeeper Alfonso Herrero.

Bellingham has now directly contributed to four goals in three LaLiga games this season (two goals, two assists), becoming the first Madrid player to register at least four direct goal involvements in the first three league games of a season after himself in 2023.

He is also level with Raphinha, Mariano Diaz and Alex Baena for most direct goal contributions in LaLiga this season as he thrives in his new role.

"Now I'm a bit more free, with the freedom to move further up, and drop deep if we need it," Bellingham told Real Madrid TV.

"I'm enjoying it a lot. That's why I'm playing well."

Mourinho also praised the attitude of the midfielder, while he expressed his joy at seeing Bellingham, Mbappe and Vinicius Junior play together.

"He's very demanding with himself, and with the rest," Mourinho said of Bellingham.

"I like that a lot. I've told him that with my way of seeing football, I don't want to see him playing as a second left-back.

"With Benfica, when we won [against Madrid in the Champions League], that kept happening, Jude dropping deep on the left. He knows what he has to do. He feels comfortable doing it.

"Very good players want to play together. They want to play with people who have the same quality, the same speed of thought.

"Before I arrived, people said a lot 'Mou doesn't want this, or that, the three are incompatible', and I've always said I want the best players ... All I see is that they're all really good."