Arda Guler has made an explosive start to pre-season under Real Madrid’s new coaching staff, with Jose Mourinho already shaping a prominent role for the Turkey international in his plans.
The Turkish midfielder returned from his summer break in top condition and with evident determination to build on last season, according to Spanish newspaper AS, which reported that the 19-year-old has immediately caught the eye at Valdebebas after barely two training sessions.
Members of Mourinho’s staff have been struck by Guler’s physical sharpness and mindset, with one prominent figure on the coaching team quoted as saying, “Guler is flying” – a phrase that has reportedly been repeated around Real Madrid’s training ground in recent days.
Mourinho planning bigger responsibility
Real Madrid are understood to see Guler as one of the major positives from last season, and Mourinho is believed to be preparing a significant role for him that reflects the level of expectation within the club.
The early return to work has given Guler a slight advantage over some team-mates, and he is aiming to make the most of that head start. Under the guidance of the Portuguese coach, the midfielder has already begun working with a clear objective: to start the new season as a first-choice player in Real Madrid’s starting XI.
Guler’s attitude since reporting back has reportedly reinforced the club’s belief that he can assume greater responsibility in the coming campaign, with his performances in training seen as a continuation of his impact in the decisive stages of last season.
Response to international disappointment
Guler’s strong beginning to pre-season comes after a disappointing summer with the national team. Turkey were eliminated in the group stage of a World Cup campaign described in the report as underwhelming, a setback that has sharpened the player’s focus ahead of the new club season.
In the wake of that early exit, Guler has set himself a clear target: to maintain and enhance the important role he played for Real Madrid during the most critical phase of last year’s campaign. Those around the squad believe his response has been to channel that frustration into his work at club level.
Productive season alongside Mbappe
Last season, Guler featured in 51 matches across all competitions for Real Madrid, scoring 6 goals and providing 14 assists. Eight of those assists were for Kylian Mbappe, with whom he formed an effective partnership on the pitch.
That understanding with Mbappe, coupled with his end-of-season performances, is thought to underpin the club’s confidence that Guler can sustain his upward trajectory. The combination of his early physical readiness, strong mentality and growing importance in the squad has reinforced the sense within Real Madrid that they possess what one member of the staff described as a “explosive” asset ahead of the new campaign.
