First Harry Kane, now Jude Bellingham – Spanish press target Real Madrid star

Jude Bellingham is the second England star playing abroad in just a few days to face criticism from local newspapers.

The Real Madrid star made a stunning start to life in the Spanish capital, with one publication claiming he’s suffering a ‘decline’ at the club.

Bellingham has not quite been his prolific self – but he set immensely high standards last seasonGetty

The arrival of former PSG star Kylian Mbappe means that Bellingham’s role for the Spanish side has changed, with Carlo Ancelotti now deploying him in a more defensive position.

The defending LaLiga champions suffered a huge shock in the Champions League as they fell to a 1-0 defeat to Lille in the group stages.

In the wake of Wednesday night’s result, AS published a story titled ‘Nothing works like before’.

They delved into the problems that Real are experiencing this season and at the heart of the criticism is Bellingham.

“In the case of Bellingham, the decline is much more palpable,” the report read. “He has only two assists, no goals, in seven games played.

“Last season, after seven games, he had scored six goals. These figures should not be compared in isolation, as his role since Mbappe’s arrival, is very different.

“But the Englishman is still looking for his best version as a midfielder, the one he offered, for example, in the second half of the European Super Cup against Atalanta.”

But the outlet also pointed out that Real boss Ancelotti continues to be one of Bellingham’s fiercest advocates, urging patience in the new season.

The report went on: “Ancelotti knows this, but he is going to give him all the time in the world: ‘His position is the same as last year, with all the success achieved last year. Now things don’t come out with the same clarity, but we just have to wait.'”

In the Lille fixture, Ancelotti organised his Real side in a straight 4-4-2 formation, with some questioning his rather negative approach to the game.

Ancelotti has defended Bellingham, insisting all that is needed is timeGetty

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The arrival of striker Mbappe has changed the nature of Bellingham’s role, naturally lessening his attacking presence[/caption]

The set-up meant that Bellingham found himself played out of position as the left midfielder.

And the 21-year-old visibly struggled to get into the game in the way that so many England and Real fans will have become accustomed to.

He looked frustrated throughout, with his feelings becoming clear when he picked up a booking late on for a reckless foul that seemed to reflect his pent-up feelings.

Indeed, Ancelotti spoke after their defeat to Lille and accepted that their journey this season is certainly starting of as a rocky one.

“It was complicated, it was not our best game and we have to clean our heads,” he said. “It seemed that we were improving, but we took a step back with this match.

“Lille have been better than us. We could use a stroke of attention and a little criticism.”

Bellingham was not the only Real star who came under fire from AS, with even the Ballon d’Or favourite Vinicius Jr. coming in for his share of his criticism.

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Bellingham and Kane have both come under fire for their performances[/caption]

Kane already has ten goals in eight games this season, making the criticism somewhat confusingGetty

But Bellingham is also not the first England star playing abroad to have lost favour with the local media in recent days.

Just days earlier, Bayern Munich star and Three Lions captain Harry Kane found himself the target of a German newspaper after his side drew 1-1 with Bayer Leverkusen.

Despite the match representing the first time he has failed to score or assist in a match this season, German outlet BILD published a piece titled ‘The BITTER Kane Truth’ in which the the striker was criticised for failing to perform on the big occasion.

Whatever their club troubles, Kane and Bellingham will soon have the chance to put those aside and star instead in a Three Lions shirt once again.

The duo have both been named in Lee Carsley’s squad for the upcoming Nations League fixtures against Greece and Finland on October 10 and 13 respectively.