Real Madrid News
Former Turkey coach backs Real Madrid youngster for bigger role under Alonso – ‘Will make a great partnership’
Former Turkey assistant coach Kenan Kocak, who once handed Arda Guler his national team debut at just 17, believes that the young midfielder is set for a breakout season at Real Madrid, all thanks to new manager Xabi Alonso.
In an interview with AS, Koçak explained why Guler is a perfect fit for Alonso’s style of play.
“Arda Guler is exactly the type of player Xabi Alonso wants,” he said.
“At Real Madrid, Arda and Alonso will make a great partnership. Alonso’s game philosophy is very different from Ancelotti’s, and I think Arda will benefit much more from it.”
New era, new opportunity
During the 2024/25 season, Guler had a tough time breaking into Carlo Ancelotti’s line-up.
While he did get more minutes towards the end of the campaign, his overall influence remained limited. That, however, is expected to change in the upcoming season.
With Alonso now taking charge, Real Madrid are expected to adopt a more dynamic and fluid playing style.
It is a system that could suit Guler perfectly, one where creativity, movement, and technical ability are given priority.
Kocak is confident this shift will unlock Guler’s full potential. “I’m sure we’ll see a much more productive version of Arda under Alonso,” he said, pointing out the tactical compatibility between the two.
Guler set for bigger role in 2025/26
Still only 20, Guler is entering a crucial phase in his career. After flashes of brilliance and another patient season, he now has the chance to grow into a key player at one of the biggest clubs in the world.
Under Alonso’s guidance, Guler could finally get the consistent minutes and creative freedom he needs to flourish.
With backing from those who have known him since his early days, and a manager who values his style of play, the 2025/26 season could be Guler’s true coming-of-age moment at Real Madrid.
According to TeamTalk, Real Madrid have joined the growing list of clubs monitoring Gabriel Rajkovic, a 15-year-old winger whose rapid development at Valerenga has already attracted attention from several of Europe’s leading sides.
The Merengues are known for keeping an eye on exciting young talent across the globe and it seems that Rajkovic’s exploits in Norway, with the first team, have alerted them.
Real Madrid keeping tabs on Rajkovic
As per the report, Real Madrid are among a host of clubs closely following the progress of the young forward.
Rajkovic holds both Norwegian and Serbian nationality and has emerged as one of the most promising young players in Norway.
His development has not gone unnoticed, with Barcelona, Bayern Munich and Borussia Dortmund also understood to be monitoring him.
However, at this point, it is Arsenal and Chelsea, who are understood to be leading the charge for Rajkovic, having compiled a detailed dossier on the teenage prodigy after extensive scouting.
On top of that, the likes of Liverpool, Manchester City, Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur have all watched Rajkovic in recent weeks.
Real Madrid could therefore face significant competition if they decide to step up their interest in a player who has already made an impression at senior level.
Making an impact at just 15
Rajkovic was handed a promotion to the Valerenga first-team squad in January earlier this year, when he was only 14 years old.
Following that, he signed a new contract with the club in March, when he turned 15, committing to the club until 2028.
Despite being only 15, the winger has already begun gaining experience in first-team football. In all, he has made 14 senior appearances for the Norwegian outfit, scoring three and assisting one goal.
Rajkovic has also represented Norway Under-16s, making two appearances and scoring once despite being younger than many of his teammates.
Those numbers become more impressive when his age and stage of development are taken into account.
Real Madrid have built a reputation for identifying young talent well before players reach their peak, and Rajkovic has now emerged as another name on their scouting radar.
But given the number of clubs in the race, signing the teenage wonderkid will not be easy.
