“It is a dream for me to work with a coach like Mourinho,” Bellingham told the club’s own media on his return from summer break.

The 22-year-old is back in training after England’s run to the bronze medal at the World Cup in North America, where his seven goals set a single-tournament scoring record for the Three Lions, surpassing Alan Shearer’s five at Euro 1996.

“I feel like I already have a connection with him,” Bellingham said of the coach whose three-year deal to 2029 was announced on the opening day of the World Cup in June and formalised at a closed-door presentation at the training ground on Tuesday.

Mourinho’s new rulebook at Valdebebas

Since taking charge, Mourinho has centred his early work on three areas: punctuality, nutrition and recovery.

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Players must now arrive an hour before every session. Those who are late are sent to train alone in the gym rather than fined, with no exceptions regardless of a player’s status.

Club nutritionists no longer advise. They now set fixed meal plans for breakfast and afternoon snacks, and individual dietary preferences have been sharply restricted. Injury rehabilitation must be completed at Valdebebas rather than with outside specialists, so the medical staff can monitor every case internally.

The tone has not softened as pre-season got under way. Mourinho told his squad “it was time to get serious” after a friendly against Deportivo La Coruña, beIN Sports reported.

‘A little more mature’

Bellingham said he is ready for the reset.

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“Now I feel a little more mature and have more experience. I have good feelings about this season with the new signings and the coach.”

He also played down any lingering fatigue from the summer.

“The World Cup was a very good experience for me and my teammates from England, but I’m ready to return and compete.”

Despite the tighter regime, the mood inside the dressing room has reportedly lifted. Club sources told beIN Sports that Mourinho “wants to strengthen the group, create unity” and that the atmosphere is “very, very good.”

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Bellingham’s own sign-off left little doubt about his side of the bargain.

“I am here to work and compete again. ¡Hala Madrid!”

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