Real Madrid‘s plans are beginning to take shape, perhaps not in the way they had hoped, but the promising young players are starting to establish themselves in the first team. One of the most unexpected has been Gonzalo, who looks set to save Florentino Pérez from having to spend big money on a number 9. The other is Arda Güler, who seems to be establishing himself under Xabi Alonso, but not in the position where he was expected to shine: the Turkish player is excelling as a playmaker and looks set to be another of the Tolosa-born coach’s bets for next season.
Güler, the new signing in midfield
He ended up being Carlo Ancelotti‘s big bet in the final stretch of La Liga, and Xabi Alonso took good note of that. Arda Güler played the last few games of the domestic championship as the brains of Real Madrid, and he shone. In the absence of signings for the Club World Cup, Xabi Alonso decided to bet on him, although not from the start, as he started on the bench in the first game against Al-Hilal. But he must have been relatively clear about it, because after a terrible first half, he brought on the Turkish player after the break and completely changed the team’s dynamic. Since that day, he has not dropped out of the starting line-up, and has always played as a playmaker, just in front of the defense, initiating Real Madrid’s play. At times he has been accompanied by Tchouaméni, at other times he has been on his own with the support of Valverde and Bellingham. In every scenario, his performance has been top notch.
Doubts in Valdebebas
Doubts about whether Arda Güler could be what Real Madrid needs in midfield have been constant in recent weeks, but they are gradually disappearing. The truth is that they believe that, in an emergency, the player can deliver, but uncertainty arose when thinking about the consistency required for the position in the league championship. However, the market does not offer any great alternatives that the club is willing to go all out for. The alternatives would involve spending a large amount of money and would not offer the guarantees that Real Madrid wants.
Xabi Alonso’s new formation
The new formation drawn up by Xabi Alonso helps Arda Güler feel comfortable in this position. The first major support comes from Tchouaméni, either further back as a third center back or working with the Turkish player in the pivot role. He relieves the Turkish player of defensive duties and allows him to move relatively freely to find the best positions and thus start the team’s play. He has Valverde as a great ally: the Uruguayan, thanks to his physical power, offers different alternatives in attack and defense to make his job easier. And he has the support of Bellingham, who seems to be more committed to the midfield, acting as a link between the first line of midfield and the attack.
In addition, the new, very offensive formation of the Tolosa-born coach encourages all players to participate in the attack and play in the vicinity of the area, something that is essential for Güler, as this is where he feels most comfortable bringing out the qualities that have taken him to the elite level of soccer.
Real Madrid continues to comb the market, and there could be signings, but they are no longer urgent, they are needs to strengthen a squad that, with the arrival of Xabi Alonso, seems to have taken a step forward by offering solutions and alternatives that Carlo Ancelotti was unable to implement.