Jude Bellingham’s Rapid Impact at Real Madrid: A Look at the 10 Most Influential Signings of the Last 10 Years

Jude Bellingham has made an electrifying start to his journey at Real Madrid. The English midfielder, having been in the Spanish capital for only two months, is already being hailed as one of the club’s most significant acquisitions in recent memory. Bellingham’s recent match-winning goal against Getafe in front of adoring fans at the Santiago Bernabeu showcased his instant impact.

While it’s important to exercise caution when making early judgments, Bellingham’s seamless integration into Real Madrid’s squad, even wearing Zinedine Zidane’s iconic number, is a remarkable feat for a 20-year-old.

Yet, Bellingham isn’t the only player in recent history to hit the ground running at a top club. Some of Europe’s finest teams have seen new signings immediately become pivotal to their success.

Let’s take a look at the 10 most impactful signings of the last 10 years:

Diego Costa (Atletico Madrid to Chelsea, July 2014): Costa’s arrival transformed Chelsea’s attack, leading them to a Premier League title under Jose Mourinho.Luis Suarez (Liverpool to Barcelona, July 2014): Suarez’s prolific goalscoring prowess elevated Barcelona’s attacking trio alongside Messi and Neymar, culminating in numerous trophies.N’Golo Kante (Caen to Leicester, August 2015): Kante’s tireless midfield performances played a pivotal role in Leicester City’s historic Premier League title win.N’Golo Kante (Leicester to Chelsea, August 2016): Kante continued his dominance in midfield with Chelsea, helping them secure Premier League and Champions League titles.Mohamed Salah (Roma to Liverpool, July 2017): Salah’s arrival at Liverpool provided the attacking spark they needed, setting a Premier League goalscoring record.Virgil van Dijk (Southampton to Liverpool, January 2018): Van Dijk’s addition solidified Liverpool’s defense and paved the way for their Champions League and Premier League triumphs.Bruno Fernandes (Sporting CP to Manchester United, January 2020): Fernandes injected creativity into Manchester United’s midfield, revitalizing their attack and aiding their Champions League qualification.Erling Haaland (Borussia Dortmund to Manchester City, June 2022): Haaland’s goalscoring prowess strengthened Manchester City’s quest for the Champions League, culminating in a historic treble.Kvaratskhelia & Kim (Dinamo Batumi/Fenerbahce to Napoli, July 2022): The duo’s arrival at Napoli transformed the team, contributing to their first Scudetto in 33 years.Lionel Messi (Inter Miami, July 2023): Messi’s move to MLS with Inter Miami has been a resounding success, rejuvenating the team and earning the club its first-ever trophy.

While Jude Bellingham’s impact at Real Madrid is undeniably impressive, these signings from the last decade have left an indelible mark on their respective clubs, achieving remarkable success and shaping football history.