Real Madrid has had a difficult season and a summer of changes is on the horizon. Starting with the bench, with the departure of Carlo Ancelotti and many players in the squad under scrutiny and with their future up in the air. A future at Real Madrid in which Xabi Alonso will have a lot to say when he arrives at the Santiago Bernabéu bench.
Ancelotti’s problem
Throughout the season, one of the issues most often attributed to Carlo Ancelotti has been his stubbornness in always fielding the same starting eleven, giving the same players excessive minutes. Rotation in the Real Madrid squad has been minimal, with the coach making an average of just 3.86 changes between games. There are six players in the Real Madrid squad who have played more than 3,900 minutes: Courtois (4,020), Rüdiger (4,101), Bellingham (3,989), Valverde (4,582), Tchouaméni (4,005), Vinicius (3,962), and Mbappé (4,188). All of them have played whenever they have been available.
On the other side of the coin, the coach’s other problem has been linked to the first. Ancelotti has not given much playing time to young players who have been proving their worth, while leaving players who are far from their best on the pitch, something unforgivable for a team with the demands of Real Madrid.
Arda Güler teaches Ancelotti a lesson
Arda Güler gave a warning against Getafe, confirmed it in the Copa del Rey final against Barcelona, and sealed the deal against Celta. Against the Galicians, the Turkish player confirmed that he is more than up to the task with an outstanding performance. Arda was the clear star of the show with a stunning goal, a rocket that flew straight into the top corner, followed by a great assist for Frenchman Kylian Mbappé to make it 3-0 at half-time.
A great game that has earned him a more than likely starting spot in El Clásico against Barça. The coach has always been reluctant to give the player prominence, but the evidence has been overwhelming that he deserves the spotlight he has earned on the pitch.
Ancelotti surrenders to the evidence
Ancelotti spoke about the player’s performance in his press conference: “We’re talking about Güler and Endrick, who are very young players. But the history of Madrid says that you have to earn your place on the bench before you can become a starter. Arda is doing well and will do even better next year. He has the profile to be a starter at Madrid and he has learned how to earn his place on the bench.”
“It has been a natural progression for a player who wants to play for Real Madrid. He has never lost confidence. It is clear that the Güler of September is not the Güler of today. He has changed a lot, including his physical profile. He maintains his quality and his progression is normal and natural for a young player at Real Madrid,” explained the Italian coach.
Xabi Alonso wants him at Real Madrid
Although not official, Xabi Alonso’s arrival at Real Madrid is all but confirmed. That is why there has been talk for weeks about the Tolosa-born coach’s plans for Real Madrid. The prestigious journalist Fabrizio Romano makes it clear that the Spanish coach is a great admirer of Arda Güler. He therefore wants him to be an important part of his future project at the club.