Real Madrid, under the management of Jose Mourinho, will open the new season in the Spanish La Liga away to Espanyol on Saturday.
Before the match, an article was written in Spain's high-circulation sports newspaper MARCA, praising Arda Güler's performance in the pre-season training camp, and emphasizing that the national football player had an important place in Mourinho's plans.
Here is the article published by Sergio Rodríguez Castellanos...
"Arda Güler was the best player of Real Madrid's preparation period. The Turkish player was the most consistent performer throughout the summer; in these first steps of Mourinho's second term at the head of Real Madrid, a large part of the team's functioning was shaped around him.
"THE THOROUGHBRED GAVE THE IMAGE OF A NUMBER 10"
However, the 2026/27 season started with a missed penalty against Alcorcon. It wasn't a big deal since it was a friendly match played in Valdebas. Since that day, he has fulfilled the task given to him by Mourinho. He showed himself a lot in the offensive midfield position; He directed his teammates when necessary and constantly tried to create danger between the lines. Interestingly, although he had never played as a "number 10" in Real Madrid before, he looked like a purebred "number 10".
"HE TRANSFORMED DISAPPOINTMENT INTO MOTIVATION"
He was Turkey's best player in the World Cup, but this was not enough for his national team to advance past the group stage. However, he turned this disappointment into motivation and saw the preparation period at Real Madrid as 'a test he could not fail'. Because the coming period will be difficult. Spaces are limited in Mourinho's midfield and stars are competing. His direct rival is Jude Bellingham, the most recent addition to the team.
"His PERFORMANCE DURING THE PREPARATION PERIOD JUST SCREAMS THAT HE SHOULD BE IN THE TOP 11"
This situation puts the Turkish player in a privileged position; There is a high probability that he will be in the starting 11 in the first match of the league against Espanyol. How it will develop from now on, time will tell; However, the football displayed by Arda Güler in the friendly matches almost screams that the Turkish midfielder should be in the first eleven. His successes on the field are entirely his own work.
"HE REPECTS MESUT OZIL IN THE EYES OF THE FANS... SAME POSITION, SAME SILKY LEFT FOOT!"
In the eyes of many Real Madrid fans, both in terms of football and due to his ethnic origin, Arda Güler portrays Mesut Özil, who did not come here as a star in 2010, but became one of the most important names of the team that reached the semi-finals of the Champions League three years in a row under Mourinho's management. Same position, same silky left foot. Rather than being a burden, this resemblance feeds the hope of those who dream of seeing him shine like Mesut Özil.
"THE ROAD IS OPEN FOR ARDA GÜLER"
He did not experience a similar situation last season due to Xabi Alonso's self-confidence and Jude's injury, but then he had to establish the game from the back. Now, Bernardo Silva takes this responsibility off his shoulders and allows him to move with the freedom on the field that suits him very well. "The way is clear for Arda Güler."
