Arda Guler is being lined up for a pivotal creative role at Real Madrid as new head coach Jose Mourinho looks to recreate the devastating Mesut Ozil–Cristiano Ronaldo partnership with the young Turkish playmaker and Kylian Mbappe.
The 19-year-old joined Real Madrid in the summer of 2023 for €30m, drawing immediate comparisons with former Germany international Ozil, who became a fan favourite at the Bernabeu despite spending only three seasons in the Spanish capital.
Now, with Mourinho back in charge, those parallels are taking on fresh significance. The Portuguese coach is understood to view Guler as a potential “new Ozil” – a gifted, left‐footed creator capable of supplying a steady stream of chances for Mbappe, just as Ozil once did for Ronaldo.
Comparisons rooted in style and heritage
The resemblance between Guler and Ozil goes beyond their shared Turkish roots. Both are noted for their vision, intelligence between the lines and ability to deliver the decisive final pass in tight spaces.
Guler has already demonstrated that he possesses that killer ball, impressing in flashes during his first season in Madrid. His passing range and technique have prompted many in Spain to see him as heir to Ozil’s creative mantle.
However, despite those qualities, he has yet to secure a regular starting place in Real’s star‐studded midfield. According to Spanish newspaper Mundo Deportivo, this is partly due to the uncertainty over his best position.
Tactical puzzle in midfield
Mundo Deportivo reports that Guler has been shuffled across multiple roles – from right winger to right‐sided central midfielder, classic No 10 and even a deeper‐lying playmaker – making it difficult for him to settle and dominate games consistently.
That positional fluidity has underlined his versatility but has also complicated his integration in a team packed with midfield talent.
Mourinho, who previously maximised Ozil’s output during his first spell in charge of Real Madrid, is now said to be focusing on defining a clear role for Guler, with an emphasis on his relationship with Mbappe.
Early signs of a Mbappe–Guler connection
Guler was seen linking up particularly well with Mbappe at the start of last season, echoing the telepathic understanding Ozil once enjoyed with Ronaldo. Their on-field connection has reportedly convinced Mourinho that the pair can become a key axis of Real’s attack.
For the Portuguese coach, enhancing and systematising that partnership is considered a priority. He believes that by tailoring the team’s structure to Guler’s strengths – especially his ability to thread passes into space for Mbappe’s runs – Real could regain a level of attacking fluency reminiscent of the early 2010s.
Full pre-season offers crucial window
Turkey’s early exit from the World Cup has inadvertently boosted Guler’s prospects. The early elimination has allowed the midfielder to complete an entire pre-season with Real Madrid, a luxury he did not fully enjoy last year due to fitness issues and international commitments.
This uninterrupted preparation period is seen within the club as a vital opportunity for Guler to convince Mourinho he deserves a place in the core tactical plan for the coming campaign.
At the same time, it presents Mourinho – often referred to as “the Special One” – with a rare chance to “clone” the Ozil model he developed more than a decade ago, but with a new generation of stars.
Long road to Bernabeu stardom
While Guler has progressed notably in recent seasons, the feeling in Madrid is that he still has significant room to grow before he can be considered one of the undisputed leaders of the team.
Mourinho’s task will be to manage that development carefully: defining Guler’s role, giving him consistent minutes and nurturing his on-pitch chemistry with Mbappe, all while handling the pressure of expectations that comes with being labelled Real Madrid’s next great playmaker.
Should that project succeed, Real Madrid could once again build their attack around a Turkish‐rooted creator supplying one of the world’s deadliest forwards – a modern reimagining of the Ozil–Ronaldo era that captivated the Bernabeu.
