Why Real Madrid are concerned by La Liga’s treatment of Jude Bellingham

The powers that be at Real Madrid are growing increasingly uncomfortable with the level of protection being afforded to star man Jude Bellingham whilst on the pitch.

That’s according to Marca, who have this evening provided an insight into the situation.

Midfielder Bellingham, for his part, recently grabbed the headlines, after being caught on camera in something of an explicit tirade against referee Hernández Maeso.

This came about with the Englishman of the opinion that he had been the victim of a number of overlooked fouls during the first-half of Real’s recent meeting with Almería.

The aforementioned Marca, in turn, have since delved into the data.

And the numbers do paint quite the interesting picture.

Bellingham, at present, stands as the 2nd most fouled player across Europe’s top-5 leagues to this point in the campaign.

The former Borussia Dortmund man’s tally of 72 is bettered only by that of Lazio star Mattia Zaccagni, with 75.

And such physical treatment of their dazzling young midfielder has certainly not gone unnoticed amongst those in the boardroom at the Santiago Bernabéu.

This comes amid confirmation that Real Madrid are experiencing ‘discomfort at what is considered a lack of protection towards a footballer who raises the level of the League’.

It now remains to be seen whether Bellingham is afforded the kind of ‘protection’ so desired by Florentino Pérez and co.

Conor Laird | GSFN