Real Madrid Starlet Arda Guler has not had the simplest time since he came to the club two summers ago. After a first campaign soaked by injuries, he was expected to take the next step this year, but has played sparingly so far.
But finally, Carlo Ancelotti seems to give him the opportunities he wants, and it has paid dividends in recent weeks. After taking the winner against Getafe two weeks ago, Guler came up in the Copa del Rey -Final and helped the header of Aurelien Tchouameni to lead them. Against Celta he opened the score again and also gave an assist for Kylian Mbappe. Many people wondered why he no longer got any opportunities.
Guler played only 1,471 minutes this season at 38 games, but only 14 of those performances are from starting. During those trips he has a relatively impressive five goals and nine assists, on average a goal contribution every 75 minutes. Ancelotti, however, went during the international break in March and had only given him three starts.
It was talking that Guler would be on the road in the summer if his situation would not change, and Ancelotti responded by publicly criticizing his camp and noted that he might not get any good advice.
After the Celta game, Ancelotti was asked that exact question. Ancelotti explained that Guler had improved and the opportunities were followed.
“It is clear that the Guler of September is not the Guler of today. He has changed a lot, including his physical profile, where he is stronger and retains his quality. It is the normal progression of a young player at Real Madrid. Arda did well in the past, he did well in the coming years. It is good, he said Relo.
He also changed his tune to Guler's advisers.
“Two months ago I went to his camp, and now I have to congratulate them because they did well.”
Guler seems to complete the industry arch with a starting point in El Clasico on Sunday against Barcelona, which represents a complete U-turn from Ancelotti.