Real Madrid have had a flawless start to their new era under Xabi Alonso as Los Blancos have won three out of three games to kick-start the La Liga 2025/26 campaign.
The new signings have already proven their mettle as Real Madrid and Athletic Bilbao are the only two teams to endure a perfect start in La Liga.
Following the international break, Alonso's men will have a tricky test in their away trip to San Sebastian as they will lock horns against Real Sociedad on September 13.
Ahead of the game, the Spanish manager touched upon multiple topics with the media but his optimism around star midfielder Jude Bellingham's return grabbed the headlines.
Bellingham, who underwent shoulder surgery following Real Madrid's quest in the Club World Cup in the United States is out of the sidelines recovering.
However, the former Bayer Leverkusen man believe that the 22-year-old would be back to full fitness earlier than scheduled as he has returned to non-contact training.
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“I want to be a little optimistic and hope that he’ll be back before October,” Alonso told a press conference on Friday. “He’s doing some partial training, without contact because we are protecting him."
What did he further say about Jude Bellingham's return?
Bellingham has been a key player for Real Madrid ever since his move to the Spanish capital from Dortmund in 2023.
It was back in November 2023 when the England international dislocated his shoulder during a league game against Rayo Vallecano and he was immediately sidelined for four matches.
Since then, he was able to manage the injury and appeared regularly for club and country which sometimes forced him to play with a strapping on his injured shoulder.
But he eventually decided to get operated following Real Madrid's semifinal exit from the Club World Cup.
Although he is expected to remain out for 10-12 weeks, Alonso feels Bellingham will be ready by October.
“Jude is making a great effort in his recovery, although he will not be with the squad tomorrow (against Real Sociedad). Let’s see if he can take steps forward next week and when we have a good feeling, we’ll be waiting for him.”
Unfortunately, Bellingham's surgery has coincided with Eduardo Camavinga's ankle injury and though he was expected to be available following the international break, his recovery has been delayed.
“Eduardo is on a similar timeline to Jude, he’s already training with the group, he can do almost everything,” Alonso added. “He could be back in the squad soon if there are no setbacks, he’s been given the all-clear by the doctors.”
Following their trip to Real Sociedad, Los Blancos will begin their Champions League campaign against Ligue 1 outfit Marseille on Tuesday and in the long run Alonso will benefit from the services of Bellingham and Camavinga in midfield.
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