Real Madrid News
‘He had handed me the keys’: Guler talks Alonso, Ancelotti, Arbeloa, Mbappe, Real Madrid
Having enjoyed a successful season on an individual level, Real Madrid midfield starlet Arda Guler has his sights set on shining for Turkiye at the upcoming 2026 FIFA World Cup.
The 21-year-old midfielder, who has been nominated for the La Liga U23 Player of the Season, sat down for an interview with TRT Spor (h/t MARCA) recently, during which he discussed various aspects pertaining to the club.
On his relationship with Xabi Alonso
Guler played an important role under Xabi Alonso at Real Madrid in the first half of the season and spoke positively about the relationship he built with the manager, whose project ended earlier than expected.
“The truth is that we had a wonderful relationship. I felt that he had handed me the keys. It was exactly what I had been looking for, truly,” he said.
The Turkish midfielder also wished his former manager success in his new project in London.
“Now he has signed for Chelsea. I hope everything goes well for him. Of course, we still exchange messages,” Guler added.
One of those messages arrived after Real Madrid’s match against Bayern Munich, where Guler produced an impressive performance despite the defeat.
“After the match against Bayern Munich, he told me that he was very proud of me. I was very happy when I saw the message. I hope God smooths his path ahead. I believe he is a truly great manager,” he revealed.
Another topic frequently discussed during Xabi Alonso’s time in charge concerned his tactical methods and the way he communicated ideas to players.
Discussing that aspect of his management, Guler explained: “When he calls you into his office and explains something about tactics, it is very difficult not to become convinced. He knows very well what you are capable of.
“He understands very well what he can bring out of you. He was the type of man who probably woke up every day thinking about how to improve this player and how to communicate with him.”
The midfielder also recalled a story from his first match of the season under the manager.
“Before our first match, when I was in the starting eleven, he said to me in the morning: ‘I want you to touch the ball more than everyone to your right.’ When you hear something like that, it does not take much convincing.”
On Ancelotti and others
Guler also discussed current and former teammates, as well as coaches who have influenced him.
Speaking about Kylian Mbappe, he said: “Our view of football is quite similar.”
He also expressed gratitude for the opportunity to learn from Real Madrid legend Luka Modric, saying:
“I feel very fortunate to have learned things from Luka Modric.”
Regarding coaches, Guler spoke positively about Alvaro Arbeloa, stating that they have “very good communication” and admitting that he would have liked to finish the season with a trophy.
He also revealed words previously spoken to him by Carlo Ancelotti, with the Italian having told him: “You will become one of the best midfielders of the future.”
After three successive wins to start the season, a 1-0 loss to Real Betis came as a reality check for Real Madrid, who are still some way off matching the quality and consistency of Barcelona.
In light of the defeat, the Real Madrid coaching staff is analysing the best way to get the most out of the current setup.
More expected from Valverde
According to Defensa Central, one of the key conclusions drawn from the Betis defeat is that Real Madrid need greater involvement from Federico Valverde with the ball.
The Uruguayan has been deployed as the pivot, largely due to the absence of the injured Aurelien Tchouameni, but he is yet to make the step up in quality the team requires from that role.
While his effort and commitment are never in doubt, Mourinho and his staff, led by Sami Khedira, feel Valverde spends too much time positioned behind the opposition’s midfield line.
As a result, he fails to offer passing lanes to his teammates when they are under pressure, forcing them into hurried, aimless clearances rather than playing out cleanly from the back.
That concern has already been communicated to Valverde, who is still adapting to a position he has never truly played, making the challenge all the more difficult for him.
A collective issue to fix
However, the problem is not Valverde’s alone, with the coaching staff identifying a wider issue in the team’s structure.
Khedira has reportedly noted a certain passivity from the attackers in the videos of the match, particularly Vinicius Jr and Kylian Mbappe, when it comes to offering themselves as the ball transitions from midfield into attacking areas.
That lack of movement compounds the difficulties for the deeper midfielders.
Mourinho, for his part, remains unfazed by the departure of Rodri to Barcelona, insisting his squad has the tools to cope.
“I’m not missing Rodri. We have solutions, we have quality,” the Portuguese said, before adding that he backs his ability to improve players.
With a Champions League opener against Inter Milan on the horizon, Mourinho and his staff will be keen to iron out these issues quickly.
