Real Madrid have a problem of plenty in attack, with Jose Mourinho facing a major selection dilemma on a game-to-game basis.
The likes of Kylian Mbappe, Vinicius Junior and Jude Bellingham are the first names written on the team sheet.
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Also, the price that Madrid paid for Yan Diomande this summer suggests he is going to be a guaranteed starter for Jose.
Now, according to Mario Cortegana of The Athletic, Arda Guler may face one of the toughest selection battles in Real Madrid’s squad.
However, the silver lining for him is that there is no shortage of belief in the Turkish midfielder inside the club.
Mourinho believes in Guler’s role
Both Jose Mourinho and Madrid’s board regard Guler as an important part of the team’s future, even with players ahead of him.
If Mourinho sticks with his preferred 4-2-3-1, Bellingham is expected to occupy the No. 10 role, while Vinicius and Diomande provide the width behind Mbappe.
Mourinho rates Guler very highly. (Photo by David Balogh/Getty Images)
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That does not leave an obvious starting place for Guler.
Yet Mourinho has already made his admiration clear. The Portuguese coach sees the 21-year-old as much more than a specialist attacking midfielder and has even suggested that, over time, he could evolve into a No. 8 and eventually a deeper No. 6.
That long-term view gives Guler several possible routes into the side.
Madrid board see him as structurally important
The backing is not limited to the coach.
Real Madrid’s hierarchy believes Guler can help give the team structure and direction through his touch, vision and ability to connect phases of play.
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His relationship with Mbappe is considered another major asset.
Guler has the technical quality to find the French forward early, play between the lines and create the kind of combinations that can make Madrid’s attack more fluid.
Guler is tipped for a big role this season. (Photo by David Balogh/Getty Images)
That gives him value even if he is not one of the six or seven names considered automatic starters.
His future is not in doubt
The key point is that Guler is not being viewed as surplus simply because the competition is intense.
Madrid appear to see him as a player who can become increasingly important as Mourinho shapes the midfield over time.
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The Portuguese manager may have already started working on the Turkish midfielder to use him in deeper roles in certain games this season.
There is also the possibility of Jose switching to a 4-3-3 and playing Bellingham and Guler as his two No. 8s.
For now, the challenge is keeping everyone happy, especially with Guler likely to want more minutes to justify his talent.
The upcoming season should give a clear picture of Madrid’s plans for the 21-year-old, and it remains to be seen how he develops.
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