Opinions
Arda Guler’s starting role against Leganes raises more questions than answers
Real Madrid fans have long called for more opportunities for Arda Guler, and their wishes were finally granted in the match against Leganes.
After an extended period of limited involvement, the Turkish talent returned to the starting line-up, marking his first such appearance since 21 September. That day, he played 55 minutes in a commanding 4-1 victory over Espanyol.
However, his subsequent minutes on the pitch have been sporadic at best, often confined to late-game substitutions or complete absence from key fixtures, including defeats to Barcelona and Milan.
The injuries plaguing Real Madrid’s squad may have prompted Carlo Ancelotti to bring Guler back into the fold, but the young winger seized the opportunity to make a statement.
Positioned on the right wing, Guler was a constant threat from the first whistle, proving to be one of the team’s primary creative forces alongside Vinícius Jr. His dynamic performance demonstrated why many believe he deserves a more prominent role in the squad.
Guler was threatening
Throughout the game, Guler showcased his flair and skill. One standout moment saw him dribble past two Leganes defenders inside the penalty area, creating space for a precise left-footed shot aimed at the far post.
Unfortunately, the effort was thwarted by goalkeeper Marko Dmitrovic, who seemed determined to keep the Turk off the scoresheet.
Guler continued to test Dmitrovic with a powerful free-kick and a sharp, low strike in the second half, only for the goalkeeper to deny him again, this time with a quick reaction save using his leg.
These near-misses highlighted Guler’s potential to unlock defences, even if luck was not on his side that evening. If we are to consider numbers, Guler was Real Madrid’s fourth best passer with an accuracy of 92.7%.
Furthermore, he delivered two key passes, completed four success dribbles and was only outnumbered by Vinicius Jr. from the team. Lastly, he attempted five shots and three of them were on target.
More questions than answers
The performance against Leganes raises important questions about Ancelotti’s management of the squad. Despite Real Madrid’s recent struggles with creativity and consistency, Guler has rarely been utilised as a key option.
His display against Leganes is a reminder of the unique qualities he brings to the team – vision, skill, and a fearless approach in the attacking third.
The young player’s energy and imagination were exactly what the team needed in a match that could have easily slipped away without his contributions.
Now, the onus is on Ancelotti to make a decision that could shape both the immediate and long-term fortunes of the team. Real Madrid’s next challenge is a high-stakes clash at Anfield, a match that will demand both tactical discipline and individual brilliance.
The question is whether Ancelotti will trust Guler with another start or opt for a more conservative approach by reinforcing the midfield.
All eyes on Ancelotti
The coach’s choices will be under even greater scrutiny as injured players, especially Rodrygo, begin to return, potentially reshuffling the hierarchy within the squad.
Guler’s recent outing has proven that he has the talent and temperament to handle pressure, even in a team as demanding as Real Madrid.
Whether this performance marks a turning point in his role or remains a fleeting opportunity is now up to Ancelotti. One thing is clear: the young Turk has forced the conversation and made a compelling case for more consistent involvement.
Fans and critics will be watching closely to see if this was a one-off appearance or the start of a new chapter in Guler’s journey with Los Blancos.
Real Madrid’s summer transfer window was full of activity, albeit not consistently throughout the break.
Their activity was top-heavy as they did most of the big hitting before the FIFA World Cup in June. They continued to keep tabs on targets beyond that, but the emphasis shifted to departures.
While the club did make multiple big name signings across the field to significantly bulk up the squad, they balanced them out with departures primarily from the academy.
Most of the team’s income arrived from youth player sales, totalling over €200 million.
In the end, the objective was always to build a team that can go on to challenge for all titles and prevent a third straight trophy less campaign.
Madrid Universal brings you the ratings of every Real Madrid transfer operation this summer.
Arrivals
Yan Diomande
Diomande arrives with a massive tag on his back – that of being the club’s most expensive signing in history, and it is clear that the pressure will be on him from the get-go.
While Michael Olise was the club’s top target for the right wing, they shifted focus to Diomande after it became clear that they could not sign the Frenchman.
The negotiations were long, and RB Leipzig eventually extracted a record sum of €140 million, including add-ons.
The teenage winger has impressed in training but is yet to come good in an official game. His pacey dribbling, good combination play and 1v1 skills make him the perfect candidate for a counter-attacking system, and he is thus tailor-made for Jose Mourinho’s system.
Transfer rating: 8
Marc Cucurella
Real Madrid’s premier Spanish signing ahead of La Roja’s FIFA World Cup campaign saw his stocks shoot up after the tournament as he delivered a campaign for the ages with the national team.
Cucurella’s arrival gives Real Madrid a serious lift at left-back as he is one of the best defensive full-backs around while also maintaining a consistent attacking output.
He will be the manager’s starting option on the left of defence and has already shown signs of great adaptation to the dynamics.
The club did shell out a significant fee of €55 million for his signing from Chelsea, but he appears to be one of the lower-risk incorporations.
Transfer rating: 9
Carlos Espi
Perhaps the biggest surprise signing of them all, Real Madrid completed the arrival of Espi in a matter of hours after leaks appeared, moving with real purpose and clarity.
The idea of bringing the player in was to replace the departing Gonzalo Garcia who has been the team’s backup striker in recent seasons.
However, Espi’s arrival throws doubts on where Endrick stands on the pecking order.
Espi, who was signed for €25 million, has begun the season strongly and even scored the winner for the club on Matchday 1 against Espanyol. It will be interesting to see how the dynamics change when Endrick is back in action.
Transfer rating: 8
Denzel Dumfries
Signing Dumfries with Trent Alexander-Arnold already in the squad was not a major surprise, considering that Real Madrid lost Dani Carvajal. But it was also an indication of how Mourinho has a clear liking for defensive full-backs.
The Dutchman, who arrived for €20 million from Inter Milan, brings precisely that to the table.
He may not be as potent in attack as Trent, but he is much more reliable on the defensive side and Mourinho even handed him the start in Real Madrid’s opening two league games.
He will be in a season-long battle with the England international for the starting spot, but that is a good problem for Mourinho to have.
Transfer rating: 8.5
Ibrahima Konate
The French centre-back arrived on a free transfer from Liverpool to add depth to Real Madrid’s defence, and has now fit in as a direct replacement for David Alaba.
Despite being a new signing, however, Konate is not guaranteed a starting spot and is in a fight with Antonio Rudiger to partner Dean Huijsen at the back. Eder Militao’s return could even push him into a background role soon.
On a free move, Konate’s arrival is a massive boost for Real Madrid. Yet, it is clear that the player has his limitations and that he may not be the elite starting centre-back the manager wanted.
Transfer rating: 8
Bernardo Silva
Silva’s transfer saga was one of the many tug-of-wars between Barcelona and Real Madrid this summer, but one where Los Blancos eventually came out on top.
Arriving at the Spanish capital club as a free agent, the Portuguese midfielder may not be able to play in the role he has traditionally excelled in because Jude Bellingham is a starter in that department.
Instead, Mourinho plans to use him as a pivot where he has not particularly lit up the field so far.
As an acquisition, Silva is a big name and could well come good. Stylistically and in terms of the profile he is being asked to cover, however, the output may not match the initial expectations.
Transfer rating: 7
Sergio Martinez
Martinez arrived close to deadline day in a relatively low-profile move from Racing Santander and will be registered with the Castilla side this season.
The 19-year-old starlet does, however, have the doors to the first-team wide open. He has already trained under Jose Mourinho and been included in the squad for the game vs Real Betis.
As a young and promising midfielder, he stands out with a profile that Real Madrid direly lacks.
He offers a creative and controlling presence, and his chance in the first team could well arrive very soon. His transfer for only €3 million could well be Real Madrid’s lowest investment that yields an unexpectedly high output.
Transfer rating: 7
Departures
Gonzalo Garcia
Gonzalo Garcia’s departure was an excellent piece of business for a backup player by Real Madrid as the club sold him to Fulham for a fee of €42 million.
While he has been a great asset for the club in recent years, Garcia’s departure has helped the club bring in financial benefits even after accounting for the signing of his replacement in Carlos Espi.
On a personal level, it is a great move for the player as he links up with Alvaro Arbeloa once again.
Transfer rating: 9
Fran Garcia
The left-back position was always marked as a critical department for a departure this summer, and the plan to sign Marc Cucurella made it all the more clear that at least one of the existing three left-backs must leave.
That exit, eventually, was Fran Garcia as he left the club for €4 million to join Real Betis in the summer. Real Madrid do, however, retain a 50% sell-on clause which could be handy in the future.
While the fee may not be significant, getting the player’s wages off the bill was critical for Real Madrid, especially given that there was a sheer overload of players for one starting spot.
Transfer rating: 8
David Alaba
Real Madrid opted against renewing the deal of David Alaba’s contract, bringing an end to the veteran defender’s chapter at the club at a good point.
Injuries have weighed heavily on the player in recent years, making him a liability to the club in a sporting and financial sense.
The decision not to renew his contract was made several months ago, and the club did not change their mind despite his handy performances towards the end of the season.
In all ways, it was a much-needed exit in the larger scheme.
Transfer rating: 8.5
Dani Carvajal
As was the case with Alaba, Real Madrid opted against renewing the deal of Dani Carvajal, bringing an end to the captain’s long bond with the club.
Carvajal’s departure marked the official end of Real Madrid’s previous generation at the club, and he leaves his department in the stable hands of Trent Alexander-Arnold and Denzel Dumfries.
There was talk of keeping the player for one more season to keep the dressing room under control, but the club eventually decided against such a move.
Transfer rating: 8.5
Dani Ceballos
Dani Ceballos has had a difficult time at Real Madrid in recent years and still has a contract in place until next summer. His lack of minutes and Mourinho’s stance of not counting on the player led to a complicated summer.
Eventually, the midfielder terminated his contract with Real Madrid, freeing the club of his wages, and went on to be a free agent. He signed for his boyhood club Real Betis on deadline day and will join Fran Garcia there.
The outcome is a positive one for Real Madrid as they managed to remove a piece of deadwood from Mourinho’s blueprint and also opened up a spot on the first-team roster.
Transfer rating: 9
Franco Mastantuono
One of the more shocking departures from Real Madrid this summer was that of Franco Mastantuono – the young Argentine prodigy who arrived on a big fee just last summer.
The 19-year-old starlet has left the club on a season-long loan to Fiorentina to get more playing minutes under his belt, but that decision also lays the basis for the claim that Mourinho does not count on him as a quality option.
While it is a good outcome for Real Madrid in terms of keeping the player’s development active, it is also a massive blow considering the fee they paid for him just last summer. The rationale of sending out such a highly rated talent on loan remains unclear.
Transfer rating: 6
Conclusion
Real Madrid’s summer transfer window was everything fans expected and more after two trophyless seasons at the club.
Los Blancos did make four massive signings last summer, all of which largely disappointed. Many of the recently concluded window’s signings unsurprisingly address the same positions.
In terms of arrivals, the club will be proud of their window as they brought in serious match-winners in Bernardo Silva, Cucurella, Dumfries and Diomande.
They eventually fell short in two departments they hoped to reinforce and would have liked to add another starting centre-back and central midfielder. That, however, does not go to say that the existing options will not suffice.
Simultaneously, Real Madrid also pulled off a great transfer window in terms of departures as they got rid of some big-earning non-performers and made huge sales from the Castilla side.
They would have liked to sell a few more players like Eduardo Camavinga and Raul Asencio, but the players understandably stood by their contract.
Striking a good balance between incoming players and sales, Real Madrid will be largely proud of their efforts in the summer. They will be fiercely competitive now, and there are no more excuses for underperforming.
Overall transfer window rating: 8.5/10
