Before El Clasico, a call for Arda Guler from Ancelotti: He needs to play more

Ahead of the match between Real Madrid and Barcelona, known as El Clasico, to be played tomorrow in Spain’s La Liga, the Madrid sports media evaluated Arda Guler’s situation in the team.

Responding to questions from an AA reporter at the “Real Madrid City” training facilities, where Real Madrid holds training and press conferences, journalists pointed out that Arda Guler’s biggest issue is “getting limited minutes and the intense competition within the team.”

Cadena Ser Radio Sports Journalist Javier Herraez stated, “He is a very talented player; we all want to see Arda Guler in the game more. It is certain that he performs well in the matches he plays, but we haven’t seen the goals he scored last season in the final moments this season.”

Herraez emphasized that Arda Guler is a player “who can play in every position in midfield and forward,” saying, “I would love to see Arda in the starting XI for El Clasico, but I think Real Madrid will try to field a team that runs much more in this El Clasico. The competition is very high. He might come into the game in the second half.”

Melchor Ruiz: “Arda needs to be calm and patient”

Journalist Melchor Ruiz, who follows Real Madrid for Cope Radio, also mentioned, “Arda started this season with very limited playing time, just like last season. He seems to have improved physically, and there is nothing to say about his quality as a player. But he needs to be calm and act very patiently. We know he is a very important player for the national team in Turkey. We expect the same from him at Real Madrid. However, he needs time.”

Ruiz emphasized that there are “much more experienced players” than Arda Guler in the Real Madrid squad, saying, “I am sure he will get more playing time this season, but it is very important for him to be patient. I don’t think Arda will start in the XI for tomorrow’s El Clasico. However, it is possible for him to come into the game later depending on how the match goes. Barcelona is playing excellent football this season, they have great physical strength, and they are fast. I think Ancelotti will return to a 4-4-2 formation. While Arda may not play, Modric, Camavinga, and Tchouameni will likely be among Ancelotti’s considerations for the starting XI.”

Filippo Maria Ricci: I expected him to be a key player

On the other hand, Filippo Maria Ricci, the Madrid representative of Italy’s La Gazzetta dello Sport, stated, “Last year was his first season; he had injuries and finally finished strong. Then he stood out with the national team in the European Championship. Therefore, more was expected from him at Real Madrid this season, but that hasn’t happened. I expected him to be a key player on the field more, but he is getting limited minutes.”

Saying that “there is time for Arda to develop,” Ricci commented, “His biggest deficiency is getting limited playing time. I don’t know why he isn’t playing. Even though I’m not part of the team, we know there is significant competition. But it seems that Ancelotti doesn’t see him as ready for this competition yet. He needs to play more to show himself.”

Ricci suggested that Arda is not yet sufficient to start in the XI for El Clasico, stating, “In the forward positions, Vinicius, Bellingham, and Mbappe will not change. Modric, Camavinga, and Tchouameni are choices ahead of Arda. Unfortunately, there are few opportunities to play in the starting XI. If there is a surprise, it would be great for both Arda and Turkey. The issue for Arda is not starting in El Clasico, but rather getting more playing time in matches.”

In the 10 weeks of La Liga so far, Arda Guler has played in 7 matches, 3 of which were in the starting XI, totaling 250 minutes.

According to statistics, he has taken 4 shots on goal in the matches he played but has not scored, and he has received 1 yellow card.