Walking into a team with an in-form Jude Bellingham and Brahim Diaz as direct competitors is far from easy. Doing so with a long list of injuries in the recently concluded months just takes the difficulty one notch higher.
Yet, Arda Guler finds himself in the aforementioned situation in Madrid. The Turkish phenom has indeed made a recovery from his injuries but stares a gargantuan task ahead if he wishes to establish his presence under the manager.
Real Madrid have faith
It is not surprising that Guler has found it difficult to see minutes this season despite his return to fitness. After all, the manager has fitter and more in-form options at his disposal.
According to reports from Fabrizio Romano, however, Los Blancos really trust Guler and believe that he has a special potential. Their plan with the players remains the same – to protect him and develop him as a long-term asset.
There have been talks of the club considering loaning the player out in the summer so as to maximise his development at a critical stage. Needless to say, such a move will only happen if Los Blancos retain complete control of his future.
Chance arrived?
With Bellingham currently out through injury and Joselu joining him on the sidelines earlier this week, Carlo Ancelotti is down on resources in the final third.
As revealed earlier this week, the manager thus sees Guler to be an option to cover in the final third at this point. Moreover, with Vinicius, Rodrygo and Brahim Diaz all taking starting positions, the protege could well be a first-choice substitute off the bench.
The clash against Sevilla might well be the new signing’s beginning of a new lease of life in Madrid. Yet, the onus is on Guler to ensure that he makes the most of his chances.