Jude Bellingham savaged by Spanish press after Real Madrid thumped by Barcelona

Jude Bellingham was torn apart by the Spanish press after Real Madrid 's 4-0 thrashing by Barcelona on Saturday, with the England star being called "a shadow of his former self" at the Bernabeu.

Bellingham is one of Madrid's most valued stars but is not having the same prolific season he had under Carlo Ancelotti last term, assisting just once and failing to score after seven appearances in La Liga so far.

The midfielder was unable to inspire Madrid as they were thumped by their rivals, with Lamine Yamal, Raphinha and Robert Lewandowski - who scored a brace - all on target during a horror night for the home side in front of their own fans.

The 21-year-old former Birmingham City man played the full 90 minutes for Madrid but didn't have an impact, with Marca blaming Carlo Ancelotti for failing to play him in his favoured position behind the striker.

The Italian has deployed Bellingham on the right wing at times this season and Marca reporter Juan Ignacio Garcia-Ochoa said Ancelotti's mis-management of the player was a "joke in bad taste".

"Bellingham is a shadow of the player who burst onto the scene last season at the Bernabeu," he wrote. "And the fault lies not with him, but with the way he is being managed.

"Every day he plays in a position that is not his and the boy, although he gives his all, does not shine. Playing close to the right flank, playing as a full-back for many minutes, is a joke in bad taste that Ancelotti must correct immediately.

"The fact that a player who last year scored 20 goals has not scored any when we are almost in November is something that deserves serious analysis." Marca were much more complimentary of goalscorer Yamal, calling him "the chosen one".

Bellingham was showered with love from Spanish outlets last season and hailed as Madrid's hero after scoring 23 times from 42 appearances in all competitions, being influential in midfield as the team won La Liga and the Champions League.

The former Borussia Dortmund star - who joined Madrid for around £100m last summer - continued that form in Euro 2024 with England as he netted twice and provided two assists to help the Three Lions reach the final of the competition before an agonising 2-1 defeat to Spain.

Despite his sketchy form this season, Ancelotti insisted he didn't have a problem with Bellingham's lack of goals in the build-up to the Barcelona game and said he was happy with the player's progress.

"He's doing very well, he's progressing, he's had problems with his ankle and shoulder, but his condition is good. He is contributing with work, which is very important for us.

"Last year it was crucial that he scored goals because we had lost an important striker like Benzema. We don't have that problem this year because we have a player who can score 45 goals."