Carlo Ancelotti defends Jude Bellingham's lack of goals this season

Real Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti is unconcerned by the drop in goal output from Jude Bellingham so far this season, insisting the England midfielder is still "doing very well".

Bellingham made an unbelievable start to his Madrid career a year ago, having not long come out of his teenage years. Although not previously known as a goalscorer, the former Birmingham City prodigy scored five times in his first four La Liga appearances.

By the time of his 15th game for the club, he had scored 14 times to break a club record jointly held by Cristiano Ronaldo, Alfredo di Stefano and 1940s striker Pruden.

A big part of that was Bellingham's advanced role on the pitch, which has now changed. As a result, he's still searching for a first club goal this season, having only scored for England.

"He's doing very well, making progress, his condition is very good now even though he's not scoring goals, his job is very important and he knows it very well," Ancelotti reasoned as he addressed the media ahead of Saturday's Clasico against Barcelona.

"Last year we lost an important striker like Karim [Benzema] and we replaced him with the goals of Jude, Brahim [Diaz] and Joselu. Now we have a striker who can score 35 or 40 goals," the boss added, referring to the summer arrival of Kylian Mbappe on a free transfer from Paris Saint-Germain.

Mbappe has scored 39 or more goals in each of the last six seasons and already has eight to his name in Madrid colours from 13 appearances. Even so, there is a feeling that the Frenchman is yet to hit top gear, having struggled with his fitness after a busy year and minimal preparation.

"We are happy because he has scored goals," Ancelotti.

"He was very present in the first two goals against Dortmund. We are already satisfied with what he is doing but he will do better because he has the qualities to do it. But we are in no hurry."

READ THE LATEST REAL MADRID NEWS, TRANSFER RUMOURS & GOSSIP