Real Madrid News
National team manager defends Real Madrid starlet amid lack of minutes – ‘Exceptional footballer’
Despite having hardly played in recent weeks at Real Madrid, Arda Guler has been called up to the Turkey national team by manager Vincenzo Montella.
The 20-year-old prodigy has found it hard to gain Carlo Ancelotti’s confidence at the Santiago Bernabeu and has played less than 1100 minutes this season, registering three goals and five assists in the process.
Montella backs Arda Guler
Montella, however, decided to call Guler up for Turkey’s UEFA Nations League matches against Hungary this week.
Speaking to the media earlier today, the Turkey head coach defender Guler and explained his decision to include the Real Madrid starlet in the squad despite his reduced playing time.
“He is an exceptional footballer. We all know his talent and what he can contribute,” Montella stated (h/t Mundo Deportivo), justifying Guler’s call-up despite his limited minutes at Real Madrid.
“It is a well-known and generally accepted trend that players with consistent game time at their clubs are usually selected for the national team. However, we must take a more understanding approach with Arda Guler,” he added.
As reported earlier this week, Montella is taking a special approach with Guler to help him regain his confidence.
The youngster is set to miss the first game against Hungary due to suspension but is likely to be named in the starting XI for the reverse fixture in a few days.
As far as his situation at Real Madrid is concerned, if things do not improve between now and the end of the season, the possibility of a departure in the summer transfer window is not ruled out.
Real Madrid opted to renew Antonio Rudiger’s contract this past summer to keep him at the club for one more season.
The 33-year-old veteran defender, though, has not been performing at his best, with physical problems taking their toll and age starting to catch up with him.
As such, the expectation is that Los Blancos will not extend his contract again when his current one expires on 30 June 2027.
Tottenham eye Antonio Rudiger
And, according to reports relayed by AS, Premier League giants Tottenham Hotspur are plotting a free-transfer swoop to sign Rudiger in the summer of next year.
The north London club are understood to be keen on reinforcing their backline next year and see the German defender as an option, given his experience in the Premier League and the fact that he would be available for free in the summer.
So far this season, Rudiger has played only five games for Real Madrid, amounting to a total of 396 minutes.
The 33-year-old has even chipped in with two goals, including the all-important winner in the 4-3 comeback victory over AS Roma on Wednesday night.
Time to move on?
Despite Rudiger being a hugely respected figure in the Real Madrid locker room, he is currently the third-choice centre-back for Jose Mourinho.
After all, summer signing Ibrahima Konate and Dean Huijsen have been preferred by the manager so far in the new season.
Moreover, with Eder Militao set to return imminently after a lengthy injury layoff, Rudiger’s game-time could be impacted further.
Given the situation and factoring in Real Madrid’s plans to sign another centre-back next summer, it is pretty much evident that Rudiger does not feature in the club’s plans for beyond this season.
As such, a separation of ways seems pretty likely when his contract expires, and Tottenham are now positioning themselves as early suitors to sign Rudiger as a free agent in 2027.
