Arda Güler is one of the future stars of Turkish football. After spending 2 seasons in the Süper Lig in Turkey, dazzling observers, he arrived in Madrid full of promise. However, things have not gone as planned. The Turkish prodigy displays an unexpected statistic.
Arda Güler arrived in Madrid in July 2023 for a transfer estimated at €20 million, plus €8 million in bonuses. Sixteen months after his arrival in the Spanish capital, the Turkish star is struggling to live up to expectations.
A difficult start under Carlo Ancelotti
Arda Güler’s debut with Carlo Ancelotti’s team was delayed due to physical issues. He suffered several injuries during his first months in the Spanish capital and only played his first match for Real Madrid on 6 January 2024 in the Copa del Rey against Arandina.
In La Liga, he made his debut on 27 January 2024 as a substitute, coming on in the 81st minute against Las Palmas, and celebrated his first start on 26 April 2024 against Real Sociedad, where he played 68 minutes and scored the only goal of the match. Arda Güler finished the season with 441 minutes played in just 12 appearances but with 6 goals and 2 trophies (La Liga, Champions League).
More present in Turkey than in Madrid
This season is also not the most exciting of his young career. Less injured than when he first arrived at the club, he is also less present on the field despite the numerous absences in the Real Madrid team. As we approach the end of the first part of a season extended by the new format of interclub competitions, the player born in 2005 has only been on the field for 306 minutes in 12 appearances. Worse, he has never been decisive.
These figures contrast with those he displays in the Turkish national team. Called up for the first time with the senior team on 10 November 2022, where he did not play a single minute, it was on 16 November 2022 that he made his debut in the Turkish jersey, even though he was not yet a Real Madrid player.
Since signing with Los Blancos, his presence on the field has been increasingly requested by the Turkish national team. With the latter, Arda Güler has played in the Euro 2024 qualifiers, Euro 2024, and currently the Nations League. Vincenzo Montella has given him a total of 931 minutes, far more than his playing time at Real Madrid, estimated at 747 minutes. This observation is noted on beIN Sports.
A turnaround to hope for?
The lack of playing time for Arda Güler raises questions about his physical and mental state, as well as his future in a team where he really needs to establish himself. Reactions about his situation are not lacking from Turkey, such as those from former Turkey coach Mustafa Denizli revealed on the Goal website.
“Arda showed immaturity in his performance,” Denizli said after Turkey’s draw against Wales this weekend. “It’s normal because he is not in the same state as when he went to Real Madrid. He doesn’t look happy there. We know he has had few minutes and opportunities, but his rivals in the dressing room have raised their performance levels,” it reads.
If this bad patch lasts until the end of the season, it could spark desires to leave in the 19-year-old. However, his presence at the club could continue if the rumours of Xabi Alonso’s arrival materialise, given the current Bayer Leverkusen coach’s interesting management of young talents.
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