Real Madrid News
22-year-old Real Madrid sensation will take over free-kick duties next season – report
One of the biggest changes heading into the 2023/24 campaign for Real Madrid will be the set-piece duties. After all, the players who have dominated the department over the past few years might no longer carry the same prominence.
Karim Benzema monopolised the penalty responsibility in recent years, even scoring nine penalties last season. With his departure, however, the team needs someone to step up to the pedestal, with Rodrygo Goes and Luka Modric set to take over.
The situation with free kicks, however, is different. Over the past few seasons, Toni Kroos, Luka Modric, and Marco Asensio have dominated the opportunities. However, the veteran midfielders will not be centre-stage next season and Asensio is no longer at the club.
According to reports from AS (h/t Madrid Xtra), Rodrygo will be Real Madrid’s primary free-kick taker next season. After all, the youngster has shown to have the technique required to shine on the stage.
The Brazilian scored his first free-kick for Los Blancos in a pre-season friendly against Bayern Munich. He then replicated his success against Sevilla in the 37th Matchday of La Liga earlier this year to score the equaliser to Rafa Mir’s opener.
With the complete responsibility now on his shoulders, the 22-year-old youngster will have more opportunities to prove his worth from set-pieces. It also reaffirms his participation as a regular starter come August.
Only Kylian Mbappe’s arrival, it appears, can deny him the spotlight.
In 34 La Liga appearances for Real Madrid last season, the youngster scored nine goals and provided eight assists. Further, he averaged 1.4 key passes per game and created ten big chances for the team.
Real Madrid’s start to the season has been nothing short of exemplary. The Merengues have won every game since the dawn of the campaign, going unbeaten over the course of six games.
However, coach Carlo Ancelotti has yet to unearth the maximum potential of his squad, as injuries to key players and some notable absentees have prevented Real Madrid from flexing their muscles.
Arriving this summer on a six-year contract, Arda Guler has not been fortuitous enough to don the Royal White jersey yet, owing to a knee injury he endured early in the pre-season tour of the US.
But after missing out on the initial stages of the campaign, his return is closer than ever.
Arda Guler aching to make his debut
Indeed, as per Diario AS, he has fully recovered from his injury and is close to playing his first match for Real Madrid.
The Turkish sensation cannot wait to play and apparently will be back with the group on Monday as he can finally shake off the rust and be reintegrated within the squad dynamics.
Guler has missed some important games in La Liga thus far, as well as the Champions League opener versus Union Berlin, which Madrid won with a late Bellingham strike.
However, the season is still long, and the 18-year-old will finally be able to participate in the upcoming matches, with El Clasico also on the horizon.
Oozing talent
After a thorough investigation, the Madrid sports management came to the conclusion that Guler would be a suitable attacking addition who is poised to fit the team dynamics like a glove.
As a result, everyone at the club is excitedly anticipating his return from injury because he will have plenty of possibilities this season.
The player garnered immense attention in the summer transfer window and Real Madrid are thus looking forward to seeing him in action.
