Arda Güler and the importance of patience and understanding.

By: PGS | February 29, 2024 2:05 pm
3012

Arda Güler is a special talent, there is no debating that. There’s a reason why Real Madrid were so keen to snatch him up from underneath Barcelona’s jaws. There’s a reason why, even with a deep midfield roster, Real Madrid felt the need to sign and keep the 18-year-old starlet. Despite the injury disappointments at the start of the season, in the small glimpses that we have gotten of Güler, his talent has been clear to see for all. From training clips to his minor cameos, Güler’s skill on the ball, his fluidity, and most importantly, his potential, have been impossible to not notice. With such a precocious talent in the team, it’s natural for fans to want to see more of him. Unfortunately, Güler’s minutes still remain heavily restricted, and fan frustration has been boling over because of this. In recent weeks, Carlo Ancelotti has now been on the receiving end of a lot of fan anger over the issue of Güler’s gametime, something that comes from misunderstanding what Güler’s role this season was supposed to be.

First and foremost, the main thing to understand with Güler is that he was signed as a player for the future. Regardless of how talented he is, Güler was never intended to have a big role this season. He was not meant to be a special option off the bench, or a competitor for a position. He was simply signed to be developed and grow for the future. Naturally, his role was bound to be small this season. Then, his injury issues occurred. Multiple injuries kept him out for months before even playing a single minute for the club. With repeat injuries occurring at such an early stage, the club became extra cautious in his handling. With him not being a key player right now, the club was in no rush to expedite his recovery or risk him in-game. From the club, and Ancelotti’s perspective, the most important thing was to let him heal fully and obtain the general physical level needed to play for a club like Real Madrid. After these two goals were met, the next step was to slowly integrate him into the team, the key word being slowly.

 

Carlo Ancelotti has a great track record with youngsters, but he is also known as a coach with an aversion to heavy rotation. One of the main grievances fans have had with the coach is that in games with big leads, or games in which a certain spark is needed off the bench, Ancelotti does not turn to Arda, preferring his more established options. While Arda could be a very good option for such situations, there are reasons as to why Ancelotti prefers alternate options. One very big factor that fans ignore is that, as special as he is, Arda is not a profile that Real Madrid lack. Rodrygo, Viní, Jude, and Brahim are all very ball dominant players. While Vinícius is very different to Arda, and Rodrygo and Jude are also considerably different profiles, all 3 of them are players who excel the most with the ball at their feet. Brahim on the other hand, is a very similar profile to Arda. Brahim, Jude, and Rodrygo all like to roam heavily, all like to have the ball in central zones after drifting in from wider areas, and all like to link-up with deeper players to move the ball up. These are all traits that Arda has. Brahim also plays in the exact same zones in as Arda, and being left-footed like the Turk, Brahim is a direct rival for the role of the back-up 10 or right-winger. If Arda was a different profile, if he was a runner who constantly made runs in-behind, then maybe he would be better suited to being an option off the bench, but what he provides and what he excels at are traits already found in abundance in other players. All of the players are far more established, far more experienced, and as of now, simply better than Arda, and with such similarities, it is understandable why Ancelotti looks to other players when looking for something different. Joselu is as different as can be from the aforementioned 4, while taking off an attacker for any of the other midfield options, such as Modrić, changes the style of play of the team and provides something different.

Another factor to consider is also caution. Caution not in the sense of fear for Arda’s health, but fear over his levels of performance given his very young age and lack of experience. Coming off of a season with no major trophies, and already suffering multiple massive injuries in almost every position, Carlo Ancelotti has been very, very cautious with the team. With a lot to prove from last season, and fighting for both major trophies this season, it would be foolish to expect Ancelotti to potentially risk results just to give extra minutes to a young talent for the future.

The season is now getting closer to its most important part, when the games get more and more frequent and the importance of each game goes up exponentially. The unfortunate reality is that due to injuries, Arda missed the main part of the season that he could’ve expected to get decent minutes. With every passing matchday, the amount of risks the club can take gets lower and lower, and Arda’s potential minutes decrease accordingly. It is frustrating to see such a talent not get minutes, but that is the reality of being a young talent in a team with the ambitions of Real Madrid. However, there is still one-way Arda could get more game time. The team already has a 6-point lead at the top of the table, and if Girona and Barcelona drop more points while we keep on winning, a substantial lead in the table could mean more rotations, especially once the Champions League begins to heat up. In such a situation, Arda could, and should, receive more minutes. For now, all we as fans can do is hope that this hypothetical becomes reality.

It’s still early, but the response must come fast

By: Ardit Lipa | October 27, 2024 9:30 am
653

Real Madrid suffered a tough defeat in the biggest match of the season so far – falling 4-0 at the Santiago Bernabéu against the biggest rivals, Barcelona.

The defeat – not only did stop Real Madrid from going 43 games unbeaten in La Liga, but also gave a reality check to everyone in the team & outside of it, of where the team really stands, showcasing perfectly every flaw that this star studded team has.

Instead of focusing on the negatives that are quite obvious, we will try to find the positives – a task that realistically, seems very difficult.

But are there any positives to take from last night? From the game, no. Mentally, yes.

Even though the difference at the top is now 6 points for Barcelona, the league is still with 27 games ahead & the chances for response are big. But, instead of focusing on the rival – Real Madrid should focus on themselves & try to make things better.

Since the season has started, the performances have been average at best – and even the wins, have not been very convincing, often secured by a goal difference and in the last minutes of the game.

It’s not a matter of quality – because if you take a look at the individuals – it is the best team in the world, but it’s matter of performance and attitude & the attitude has clearly been missing by the team’s main stars that so far, have not shown their best version, none of them.

Aside of that – the coach, has isolated some players totally, not giving them the chance to prove themselves, such as Arda Güler & Endrick, who in the limited minutes have shown that they can make a difference, and you can expect them to atleast be trusted when you’re attacking and chasing a 2-0 result.

Generally, a lot of things should be improved – like performance, attitude and dividing the minutes to different players – and if you’ve been a fan of Real Madrid for too long, you know that the team always responds, and it should not be expected different this time. BUT, this doesn’t mean that there shouldn’t be overreaction – because the signs are really worrying, and the response – unlike other times, MUST be immediate.

The positive, is that it’s only October & there are almost 50 matches in all competitions left to play, so the margin for improvement is really, really big.

Now, it’s time to put all the questions on the table and find the answers to all of them – one by one.

The trust is big, as always. As Toni Kroos said – at the end we are Real Madrid.

Neymar backs Vinícius Jr. for Ballon d’Or after an impressive season

By: TheMadridZone | October 14, 2024 12:21 pm
72

Neymar Jr. has publicly voiced his support for Vinícius Jr. to win the prestigious Ballon d’Or award. In an emotional moment, Neymar stated, “I am supporting Vini Jr. to win the Ballon d’Or. He had a great season and no one deserves it more.”

Vinícius Jr., who played a pivotal role for both Real Madrid and the Brazilian national team, has been in outstanding form throughout the season. His performances have captured global attention, making him one of the frontrunners for the award, and with Neymar’s backing, his candidacy grows even stronger.

Real Madrid target Trent Alexander-Arnold and Jonathan Tah to bolster defense amid injury crisis

By: TheMadridZone | 12:19 pm
62

Real Madrid are targeting Liverpool’s Trent Alexander-Arnold and Bayer Leverkusen’s Jonathan Tah to strengthen their defense in light of recent injuries. Manager Carlo Ancelotti has informed the club that reinforcements are crucial to maintaining their competitive edge this season.

Alexander-Arnold’s playmaking ability and defensive versatility have made him a vital asset for Liverpool, while Tah’s strength and reliability in the Bundesliga have been key to Bayer Leverkusen’s success. With both players on Real Madrid’s radar, the Spanish giants are looking to bolster their squad depth as they face a challenging season ahead.

Trent Alexander-Arnold or Alphonso Davies, who does Real Madrid need more?

By: PGS | August 2, 2024 6:54 am
797

Real Madrid are reportedly interested in two of the world’s best fullbacks: Trent Alexander-Arnold and Alphonso Davies, and the club are aiming to sign them for free in 2025, when their respective contracts end with their clubs. In an ideal scenario, the club will be able to sign both, as both are phenomenal talents that would improve the club. However, a scenario could arise in which the club would be forced to choose between one or the other. The club’s modus operandi when signing players in recent years has been to encourage their targets not to renew, sign them for free to save up on transfer fees, and offer them high wages. This method was used to first sign David Alaba, and Antonio Rüdiger and Kylian Mbappé have also been signed with the same method. The club is now aiming to do the same with Trent and Davies, and the club could be in a situation in which they will have to decide which way to pour more resources. Both are elite talents around their prime, and both will demand high wages. So, if the club is in a position to choose only one, the question arises; who does Real Madrid need more?

The answer, in the opinion of the author, is Trent Alexander-Arnold.

While Trent and Davies are both known to be exceptional offensive talents, their styles of play are very different. Davies is a monster in transition, a super quick player who originally started as a winger and later transitioned into a fullback. He is a player who loves to take players on, something that is reflected in his monstrous 3.1 take-ons completed p90 (comparable to prime Marcelo numbers). In a footrace, there are very few players in the world who can keep up with the Canadian, and his main way of attacking comes from beating his man and creating chaos with his dribbling and speed.

Trent on the other hand, is not the athlete Davies is, but is a passing wizard. Slower, and a worse dribbler than Davies (only 1.2 take-ons p90), Trent’s main strength is his final ball. Attempting 7.1 crosses p90 and completing 2.3, compared to 1.4 attempts with 0.5 completed for Davies, their differences are clear to see. Trent is seen as one of the best passers and crossers in the world, and is also an elite set-piece taker. His passing range and technique put midfielders to shame, and his passing in transition is some of the best in the world.

So, why do Real Madrid need Trent more than they do Davies? The answer is the stylistic profiles of both Trent, and the players at hand at Real Madrid. Trent Alexander-Arnold can be seen as almost being tailor-made to fit this current Real Madrid side. A truly devastating passer in transition, a player who completes 30 forward passes a game, 1 through ball and 6.2 long balls, Trent is a one-man transition weapon. For comparison, Toni Kroos completed 9.8 long-balls a game last season. While Trent’s long passing is not Kroos’, with Kroos’ departure, having someone of Trent’s quality will go a long way in helping fill that void. While Davies also has his offensive talents, the gap between him and Trent in these departments is immense. Davies completes 16 forward passes p90, only 0.4 long balls and 0.2 through-balls. Davies’ skills in transition are his ball-carrying and speed, while Trent’s are his precision passing and ability to spread the play immediately.

Analyzing these different skills in the context of Real Madrid, it becomes clear that Trent’s skillset is a better fit. Firstly, there is the task of replacing Kroos’ passing. While no player in football can do that, Trent’s ability to switch play, find targets on the run with pinpoint precision, and set-off attacks in transition will go a long way in helping mitigate some of the effects of Kroos’ departure. Then, you have to look at the attackers that will be starting for Madrid. Vinícius Jr., Kylian Mbappé and Rodrygo are as fast an attack as you will ever see. All three are incredibly fast and are truly devastating in transition. Imagine a counter-attack with the three on the break, and Trent finding them with his long-passing. An attack like that would truly be unstoppable.

Furthermore, Trent would also be an incredible outlet option on the right. All three aforementioned players and Jude Bellingham naturally gravitate towards the left. Naturally, there will be an overload there that will force opposition defenses to crowd that area, leaving the right open, something we saw every game during the threepeat era. A quick switch to an open Trent who will have ample space to cross or shoot would be a truly elite weapon in Real Madrid’s locker. Jude would also be an elite crossing target, but Trent’s crossing is so good that even without tall targets in the box, he has managed a remarkable number of assists for Liverpool. None of Salah, Mane and Firmino were truly great aerial targets, but Trent found them consistently regardless, and the same can be expected with his Real Madrid targets. With this skillset, Trent is also a much better creator than Davies, creating 2.7 chances p90, compared to 1.6 for the Canadian. Trent also helps mitigate the effects of losing a set-piece taker, as Trent has been the primary corner and free-kick taker for Liverpool, and has done an exceptional job so far.

These stylistic profiles are also why Davies is not as big of a need as Trent is. What he excels at, Vinícius, Mbappé and Rodrygo also excel at. Being a left-back, Davies would also play in the flank that these three like to play-in, and while having an elite attacking fullback on that side would be a plus point, not having him would not be a problem either. The right side on the other hand, is relatively lacking in attacking talent, mainly with the starting XI. All of Madrid’s natural right-sided attackers are expected to come off the bench, with Brahim, Endrick and Arda, the teams three left footed attackers, will not be bonafide starters. As a result, the main threat on the right will come from Fede Valverde’s runs. Right now, Carvajal provides width and is elite at it, but signing Trent adds another, truly world class, weapon on the right, and sets-up a long-term replacement for Carvajal as well.

On the defensive side of things, an equally important part of their game, both Trent and Davies have come under criticism. Seen as attacking fullbacks with average defensive games, Trent and Davies both have deficiencies on their part. Trent is infamous for his propensity to leave the back-post unguarded and lose his marker, while Davies is often criticized for his lack of positional discipline. Both are not elite defenders, but are not bad either. Statistically, they produce similar defensive numbers, with Davies completing slightly more tackles p90 (2.1 vs 1.7), while Trent has very slight leads in interceptions (1.3 vs 1.2) and clearances (1.8 vs 1.7). Yet, despite their defensive weaknesses, Madrid fans do not need to be concerned. Defending is far more reliant on the team’s structure than individual talent, and with a midfield of Tchouaméni, Camavinga, Jude and Fede in front of them, they will have more than enough cover to go on their marauding runs.

Age is also a factor. Dani Carvajal may have had the season of his career last season, but he will be 33 by the time the 2025 summer rolls around, and Lucas will have reached 34. Ferland Mendy on the other hand, will have just turned 30, and Fran Garcia will be reaching his 25th birthday. Taking into account this aspect as well, Trent is the better, more needed option for the team next summer.

As said before, the ideal scenario would be signing both, but if the club was to be faced with the decision, then Trent should be the club’s choice.

Arda Güler cuts his vacation short

By: Ardit Lipa | July 26, 2024 12:01 pm
899

Arda Güler has cut his vacation short to return training for the new season.

Real Madrid’s 19-year old gem had a really positive EURO 2024 with Türkiye, exceeding everyone’s expectations while reaching the quarterfinals & going out just in the quarterfinals.

Going that far in the tournament, Arda Güler was scheduled to have a longer vacation, but the Turkish star has decided to cut them short & will return to Madrid tomorrow, where he will start training with the team and travel to USA on Sunday for the preseason tour.

Arda spent his vacation in Bodrum in Türkiye & Maldvies, where he was seen constantly individually training – preparing for the new season.

Güler had a first season full of unlucky injuries, but in the limited minutes he had at the end of the season – he scored 6 goals, impressing everyone & also was fantastic in EURO 2024, letting it be known that he can have a much bigger role in 2024/25.

The Turkish star wants to start strongly in preseason, to slowly gain a place for himself & get more minutes. With other players coming later to preseason, Arda Güler will be a starter in the preseason games vs Milan (August 1st), Barcelona (August 4th) & Chelsea (August 7th).

Related Articles

Previous Next