Real Madrid talent Arda Guler began to show signs of just why Los Blancos had committed to such an outlay for the 19-year-old last summer when he was given chances at the end of the season. At Euro 2024 he continued to be decisive for Turkey while on the pitch, and his return is yet more encouraging.
Both Marca and Diario AS report on a visible change to Guler in the early days of preseason, who in theory has found increased competition on his return, with Endrick Felipe and Kylian Mbappe coming in up front. That said Carlo Ancelotti has hinted he might be used further back at times. Asked about his best position, Ancelotti had this to say.
“Between the lines. A ’10’. Also to the right. On the left he plays as well as in the centre or on the right, but there he will have more chances to shoot. If we play with three players in the middle of the field, he could be one of them,” he noted after Real Madrid’s defeat to AC Milan.
One of the differences noted about Guler is that in preseason he has shown much more desire to track back and be vigilant without the ball. After Toni Kroos highlighted his attitude to learn and grow as one of the key differences between him and other youngsters in recent weeks, that has been seen at Valdebebas and now in the USA.
The other area he has shown vast improvement is physically.
“He has arrived in very good shape. He has trained well during the holidays, he has done a good job because he has arrived in good physical condition. Now he is more powerful, more resistant and with the same quality. It is going to be an important season for him, with more prominence than last year,” Ancelotti said earlier this week.
Guler went without a debut for the first six months of his Real Madrid career, struggling to hold up against the physicality of a top level team, and going through three different injuries. This summer Guler has continued to bulk up, and looks stronger and more able to deal with the physical treatment he will receive, and the pace of the game.
