Matchday 4 of LaLiga EA Sports arrives marked by tension at Real Madrid, where Arda Güler is beginning to cement his place in the starting XI, while the immediate future of Jude Bellingham is in doubt after his physical problems and a recent off-field controversy.

Xabi Alonso’s midfield dilemma

According to a report published by AS, coach Xabi Alonso was not pleased with the media exposure surrounding Bellingham, after photos circulated of the player vacationing with his partner while still in the midst of his recovery. The English midfielder underwent shoulder surgery a few months ago that kept him sidelined for three months, and he now faces the challenge of regaining his spot in a team that found new solutions during his absence.

In this context, the emergence of Arda Güler, delivering increasingly solid performances, and the rapid adaptation of young Argentine Franco Mastantuono, have complicated the situation for Bellingham. Both players have impressed the coaching staff with their level, raising a dilemma for Alonso: reinstate the Englishman as a starter or stick with the continuity of the rising stars.

The coach himself has already shown that under his management there are no privileges. In his first weeks in charge, he surprised everyone by benching Vinícius Júnior to give minutes to Rodrygo, making it clear that hierarchy does not guarantee a fixed place in the starting lineup.

A calendar that leaves no room to breathe

The debate over Bellingham’s role comes right before a demanding stretch for Real Madrid, who will face seven matches in just three weeks, spanning LaLiga and the Champions League. This Saturday, Los Blancos visit Real Sociedad in a special match for Alonso, who returns to San Sebastián to face the club where he developed as a player.

With the team at the top of the table after a perfect start of three wins in three games, the Spanish coach is preparing a rotation plan that could create even more opportunities for Güler and Mastantuono to confirm their good form. Meanwhile, uncertainty around Bellingham continues to grow, fueling the sense that his starting spot is no longer untouchable in an increasingly competitive dressing room.