Jude Bellingham's team 'unhappy' with Mason Greenwood claim as Getafe boss forced into embarrassing U-turn

Getafe coach Jose Bordalas was forced to apologise after wrongly claiming Jude Bellingham was a key part of Mason Greenwood’s transfer to Getafe.

Greenwood joined the La Liga side earlier this month from United, making his first appearance in a 3-2 win on Sunday.

But ahead of that weekend’s fixtures Bordalas claimed that he had told Bellingham had convinced Greenwood to move to La Liga, with the former having himself moved to Spain that summer with Real Madrid.

Speaking to Radio Marca, Bordalas said: “Greenwood has a friendship with Bellingham and he recommended that he come and play in the Spanish league.”

However, according to the Athletic, Bellingham’s entourage were unhappy with the Getafe boss’ comments, and following Sunday’s win over Osasuna, Bordalas was made to clarify his previous statement.

He said: “I wanted to clear up a misunderstanding there has been. I said that Mason Greenwood came to Getafe because he had spoken to Bellingham.

“It has been clarified to me that this was not the case. I apologise. Mason arrived in a different way. It was our interest and they offered him to me and we were very interested. I just wanted to clarify that, it was not a bad intention.”

Getafe also allegedly reached out to Bellingham.

Greenwood moved to Getafe on September 1 having not played football since his arrest in January 2022, following allegations surrounding material which was published online.

Greenwood was charged in October 2022 with attempted rape, controlling and coercive behaviour and assault occasioning actual bodily harm. The charges were then dropped in February 2023, after the Crown Prosecution Service saying key witnesses had withdrawn and new material had come to light, meaning there was "no longer a realistic prospect of conviction".

Greenwood has vehemently denied all allegations against him, but mutually agreed to depart United upon the conclusion of their internal investigation into the matter.

And Bordalas is delighted to have Greenwood as part of his group adding that he was pleased with what he saw from the one-cap England international after introducing him as a second-half substitute.

Bordalas said: “We were pleasantly surprised, it was a tough match and a tough time. There was a lot of back and forth. He has helped in offensive tasks, he has been very supportive.

“We are working with patience and tranquility, he has not played for many months. Today must have been a very special day for him. The player wants to compete and play. We have seen the response from the fans and his teammates. We have to be calm. The participation has been remarkable.

“We are very happy, he is very integrated for such a short period. The language is a handicap, he is with a teacher to try to accelerate the learning of Spanish to have better contact with his teammates. He is having a remarkable start, we are very happy and content.

“We are on the sidelines of what can be commented, I already clarified it. Now we are only talking about sports, I have told my teammates, we are happy with Mason’s behaviour. It’s good for him.”

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