Arda Güler emerges as a central figure for Real Madrid, reports Eurosport

“Arda is a very talented player, fortunately not yet arrived at his peak. He is capable of evolving in different positions. "I'm very happy with it," Real Madrid manager José Mourinho remarked, capturing the growing influence of 20-year-old midfielder Arda Güler as the club works through a transitional period in La Liga and the UEFA Champions League, Eurosport reported.”

A Tactical Shift Under Mourinho

Mourinho has leaned on the young playmaker to dictate tempo and organize possession. Güler s’est imposé comme une figure centrale au Real Madrid sous la direction de l’entraîneur Xabi Alonso. Alonso initially identified the Turkey international as the creative spark necessary to pull the squad away from a sole reliance on individual star power.

Güler Controls Midfield After Physical Maturation

Physical maturation has transformed Güler from a delicate playmaker into a strong presence capable of controlling matches. That evolution was highlighted during an October fixture against Sevilla. Mourinho deployed Güler in the heart of the pitch alongside Aurélien Tchouaméni. Real Madrid recorded 65 percent possession and attempted 666 passes—both single-game highs since August—in a performance characterized by sustained control.

Le problème du Real Madrid qu'Arda Güler est le seul à pouvoir résoudre

Unlocking the Attack

“To be at the highest level, he must possess other qualities, understand the game,” Mourinho said following the victory over Sevilla. Güler’s on-field vision has simultaneously unlocked Kylian Mbappé, establishing a telepathic partnership that sets the French forward apart from his interactions with Vinicius Jr. or Jude Bellingham. Mbappé described the youngster as a younger brother whose positional awareness anticipates runs before they fully develop.

Stepping Into the Void

“Arda is my little brother and I adore him,” Mbappé said after a UEFA Champions League group stage match against RB Leipzig, recounting a moment where Güler redirected his teammate’s shot across the line. “He scores in my place? If it’s him, I gladly leave the goal to him. I hope to be able to offer him even more decisive goals, because he has already offered me many too.”

The departure of Toni Kroos and Luka Modrić left a distinct void in Madrid’s ability to dictate the rhythm of matches through calculated ball-circulation rather than purely vertical transitions. While Eduardo Camavinga and Federico Valverde supply physical dynamism and Bellingham offers box-to-box scoring runs, Güler provides the positional intelligence and pre-reception awareness that mirrors the retired legends.

Versatility and Upcoming Return

Although Güler frequently operates from the right flank, his positional fluidity allows him to drift inward to receive under pressure. Mourinho praised that versatility in September, emphasizing the player’s broader utility: “His quality of play is incredible: the vision, the decision-making, the organization of the game, the stability he brings to the team, the creation… It is a player with fantastic potential. He is a boy who has a great influence. I don’t want to go too far by saying top, top, top, three times, but certainly top, top.”

The playmaker missed a difficult UEFA Champions League away fixture in Athens due to squad rotation, a match where Madrid struggled to maintain control despite securing a narrow victory. However, Güler is expected to return to the starting lineup for the upcoming La Liga fixture against Valencia at Mestalla.

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