Real Madrid News
Real Madrid €30 million summer arrival had the chance to sign for Bayer Leverkusen
Over 100 days into Real Madrid’s season, Carlo Ancelotti has a fair idea of the resources at his disposal and how to optimally utilise them. Almost every player in the squad has received the chance to audition, but Arda Guler cannot boast of such an opportunity.
The young Turkish star was widely praised as one of the world’s fastest-rising attacking talents, but life has not been easy for him at Real Madrid.
Spoilt for choice
The race to sign Arda Guler was hard-fought. Real Madrid came out on top eventually, but not without a colossal battle with arch-rivals Barcelona for the young star.
According to reports from Joaquin Maroto, the two Spanish giants were not the only two parties interested in the Turkish phenomenon.
Bayer Leverkusen were also interested in securing his services, giving him the chance to link up with Xabi Alonso and his promising project.
In the end, however, Guler was only torn between the two Spanish giants and signed for Real Madrid eventually in a deal worth €30 million, including add-ons.
Injuries to no end
Guler has had no respite with injuries since the initial meniscal tear he suffered in the preseason. The player went under the blade and recuperated, but suffered a relapse to prolong his recovery period.
Just when it seemed like he was finally set to make his debut for Los Blancos, he fell victim to a quadriceps injury which will keep him out for a month at least.
Real Madrid have taken drastic measures on the medical staff as a result of the player’s repeated relapses, and hope that the player will not affect his mental fortitude by the events.
The goal is to slowly incorporate Guler into the dynamics without putting any pressure on him physically or psychologically.
Real Madrid prospect Alexis Ciria will have to wait for his Champions League opportunity despite making a strong impression on Jose Mourinho during pre-season.
The Castilla winger has been left out of Real Madrid’s European squad, but the decision is the consequence of UEFA registration rules rather than a sporting judgment.
According to journalist Arancha Rodriguez (h/t Defensa Central), Ciria was not eligible for Madrid’s List B because he has not been with the club long enough to satisfy UEFA’s requirements.
Registering him would therefore have required Mourinho to include him on the more restrictive List A.
UEFA rules work against Ciria
List B provides clubs with additional flexibility to register young academy players, but being young enough is not sufficient on its own.
Players must also meet requirements concerning how long they have been eligible to represent the club.
Ciria does not meet those conditions because of his limited time at Valdebebas. Real Madrid would therefore have needed to sacrifice a List A position to register him.
With those places required for members of Mourinho’s senior squad, Ciria was ultimately left out.
Real Madrid’s List B instead includes youngsters such as Joan Martinez, Mario Rivas, Thiago Pitarch, Jorge Cestero and Daniel Yanez.
Many of these youngsters made a name for themselves under Mourinho during pre-season and could be used to make up the numbers in the Champions League squad.
They could also get some minutes off the bench, especially against relatively easier opposition, as Jose Mourinho looks to manage first-team minutes.
Mourinho still plans first-team opportunity
Importantly for Ciria, missing the Champions League squad does not appear to reflect a change in Mourinho’s opinion of him.
The youngster impressed during pre-season and is expected to continue spending time around the senior team.
Mourinho intends to give Ciria his official first-team debut during the season. That opportunity will now have to arrive in La Liga or the Copa del Rey.
The Portuguese tactician placed a lot of emphasis on trusting Castilla players during pre-season in the absence of first-team stars.
Ciria was one of the many names who made a name for themselves at Real Madrid during pre-season. He deserves a chance in the first team, and it remains to be seen how Jose plans his development.
Chris
November 24, 2023 at 4:59 am
Why is it that no one has commented about his health prior to the transfer? Was he always hurt at that club? He’s clearly a waste of money and will probably get hurt again when he steps on a blade of grass! Remember Eden Hazard?!