Navigating the next step for Arda Güler

Arda Güler’s first year at Real Madrid has been a blend of challenges and triumphs. After joining the club with high expectations, his initial season was marred by injuries. A meniscus injury and subsequent muscle issues sidelined him for the first 22 games of the season. Arriving at Real Madrid with the physique of a young, developing player, Güler’s injury on July 29 meant he missed the entire preseason and much of the early part of the campaign. Despite these setbacks, Güler’s performance has shown remarkable promise.

When he finally made his debut in La Liga on January 27 and had his first start on April 27 at the Reale Arena, Güler quickly made an impact. His scoring rate of 1.29 goals per 90 minutes and a conversion rate of 40% for goals from shots are the highest in the league. These statistics indicate a highly efficient player, though it remains to be seen if he can maintain such a prolific rate.

 Navigating Güler’s Role at Real Madrid

Güler’s minutes have largely come in low-pressure situations, with Real Madrid often already in a comfortable position in the league. Most of his playing time has been with the B team, and his role and influence might have been different had he played more with the starting eleven.

Coach Carlo Ancelotti has predominantly used Güler as a midfielder in a 4-4-2 formation, positioning him on the right side. This role allows Güler to showcase his key strengths. His striking ability and his finesse in creating interior movements. Unlike Fede Valverde, Güler is more of a winger who moves inside. This certainly provides an additional passing option and creating opportunities for wall passes. His impressive efficiency with 15 shots and 6 goals, producing almost five more goals than expected from an xG of 1.28, highlights his elite potential.

 Güler’s Future with Real Madrid

Looking ahead, Ancelotti is likely to continue with the 4-4-2 system, especially with the anticipated Mbappé-Vinicius forward combination. This setup will demand players who can feed the forwards with precise passes and maintain quality possession. With the expected departure of Toni Kroos, Fede Valverde might shift to a deeper role alongside Tchouaméni or Camavinga. This will  leave Bellingham to operate on the other side. This opens up opportunities for Güler to play a significant role on the right.

Güler’s ability to pause and inject verticality into play makes him a valuable asset. His technique allows Real Madrid to maintain quality possession and balance the aggressive play from Bellingham, Vinicius, and Mbappé. Among the options Ancelotti has, Güler’s potential is the most intriguing, though it comes with uncertainties.