Arda guler comments before El Clasico

Ahead of the match dubbed El Clasico between Real Madrid and Barcelona, set to take place tomorrow in Spain’s La Liga, the sports media in Madrid evaluated Arda guler’s situation in the team. Journalists responding to questions from AA correspondent at the “Real Madrid City” sports complex, where Real Madrid holds its training and press conferences, pointed out that Arda guler’s main issues are “playing time and the intense competition within the team.”

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

Highlighting that Arda guler is “a player capable of playing in every position in midfield and forward,” Herraez remarked, “I would love to see Arda in the starting 11 for El Clasico, but I believe Real Madrid will try to field a team that runs much more in this El Clasico. The competition is intense. He might come in during the second half.”

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

Journalist Melchor Ruiz, who follows Real Madrid for Cope Radio, also noted, “Arda started this season with very little playing time, just like last season. He seems to have physically improved, and there’s nothing to say about his quality as a player. But he needs to be calm and act patiently. We know he is a very important player for the national team in Turkey. We expect the same from him at Real Madrid. But 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’s very important for him to be patient. I don’t think Arda will start in tomorrow’s El Clasico. However, depending on how the match goes, it’s possible he could come in later. Barcelona is playing excellent football this season; they are very strong physically and quick. I think Ancelotti will revert to a 4-4-2 formation. Not Arda, but Modric, Camavinga, and Tchouameni will be the players Ancelotti has doubts about for the starting 11.”

On the other hand, Filippo Maria Ricci, representative of Italy’s La Gazzetta dello Sport in Madrid, stated, “Last year was his first season, and despite injuries, he ended well after adapting. He then 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 more of a leading actor on the field, but he has had limited playing time.”

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

Suggesting that Arda is not yet adequate to start in the first 11 for El Clasico, Ricci said, “In the forward positions, Vinicius, Bellingham, and Mbappe will not change. Modric, Camavinga, and Tchouameni are the preferences ahead of Arda. Unfortunately, there aren’t many opportunities to play in the starting 11. If there is a surprise, it would be nice for both Arda and Turkey. For Arda, the issue isn’t playing in the starting 11 in El Clasico, but rather getting more playing time in matches.”

In the 10 rounds of La Liga, Arda guler played in 7 matches, 3 of which were in the starting 11, totaling 250 minutes of play. According to statistics, he shot at the goal 4 times in the matches he played, but he has yet to score, and he received a yellow card once.