Turkish talent has dazzled European clubs with its brilliance for over a decade. From La Liga veteran Arda Turan, a key member of Atlético Madrid’s 2014 title-winning side, to Nuri Şahin, the former Borussia Dortmund star who now manages the club, to Hakan Çalhanoglu, who continues to spearhead Simone Inzaghi’s Inter Milan, Türkiye is a talent factory on an upward trajectory on both domestic and international fronts. Its leading clubs, Galatasaray and Fenerbahçe, have rich histories. Its latest and possibly most promising icon is Real Madrid’s 19-year-old Arda Güler. With Madrid facing a mid-season crisis, the spotlight could shine brighter than ever on the boy from Altingad.
Los Blancos are in a panic after two humiliating home defeats and new additions to a never-ending injury list. Despite comfortably defeating Osasuna with an incredible hat-trick from Vinicius Jr, Real Madrid lost Rodrygo, Lucas Vázquez and Eder Militao to injury in the first half. Militao, in the worst case, is expected to be sidelined for nine months after painfully tearing his ACL.
With defensive players like Aurélien Tchouameni, David Alaba and Dani Carvajal already injured, manager Carlo Ancelotti faces a depleted back-line with key fixtures on the horizon. Güler is not a defender but offers rare attacking creativity in a No. 10 role, which Madrid has lacked for years. This is a chance to unleash Güler’s fearless playmaking threat, which we all witnessed at the European Championships this summer. His standout moment came against Georgia with a majestic long-distance strike into the top-left corner.
Güler is quick and can drift into pockets on the left channels but also more centrally behind if space is created. Madrid’s next trip is to Anfield to face Liverpool, who currently lead both the Premier League and Champions League standings. Their frontline is prolific, but so is Madrid’s. Allowing Güler to combine with the effortless ball-carrying Jude Bellingham to supply the forward runs of Kylian Mbappé and Vinicius Jr. would strategically test Liverpool’s defense. This might mean changing to a front two and using a midfield diamond to maintain defensive structure when out of possession. It’s unlikely that Güler will start because of the occasion but should at least contribute off the bench.
Social media has jumped on recent pictures of Güler nested in the dugout and compared them to those of Martin Ødegaard, implying a waste of talent the way the Norwegian was kept out of action during his time in Madrid. The situation, however, is slightly different. Güler is older and on a growing side where players like Bellingham, Valverde and Camavinga are still to fully mature. Ødegaard was 16 and competing with Madrid’s prime midfield.
Güler has received praise from elite players, which indicates his natural ability and high potential. One of these was Mesut Özil, a former Real Madrid attacking midfielder. In the twilight of his career, Özil watched Güler as a youngster while playing at Fenerbache. Having Turkish roots himself, he insisted that Güler deserves all the praise he’s getting but doesn’t need more pressure as the entire nation sees him as the future.
Madrid’s upcoming La Liga games against Leganés, Getafe and Athletic Club are likely to feature Güler as Ancelotti works to close ground on Barcelona. The gap is only six points, and Real has a game in hand. The following weeks could be the catalyst for another young talent to flourish under the dreamy floodlights of the Santiago Bernabéu.
