Real Madrid News
Real Madrid new signing has Ancelotti’s backing, will have a key role this season – report
There are still many unanswered questions about Carlo Ancelotti’s Real Madrid setup heading into the new season. With new faces, a new formation and seemingly a new balance in the squad, the pressure is on the manager to make things work.
The tour to the USA gave the world its first look at the new Real Madrid setup and an analysis of its potential strong and weak points.
The men in white head back to Madrid with many learnings but also an equal set of positives to take away.
According to reports from Mario Cortegana (h/t Madrid Xtra), Jude Bellingham is one such positive factor in Ancelotti’s plans.
The youngster made a great first impression at the Valdebebas even before the team flew to America and backed it up with high-quality performances on the tour.
The new signing has Ancelotti’s full backing and will play a key role no matter what the set-up or formation next season.
One of two irreplaceable cogs
Earlier this month, word had it that the Italian tactician had two players with a firm foot in his starting lineup.
The first name on the roster is Bellingham, for his performances in the attacking midfield role place him well to start regularly at the apex of the diamond.
The other player with a guaranteed spot in the manager’s XI is Eduardo Camavinga. The French prodigy is still riding on the momentum that saw his rapid ascent last season and is set to play more minutes in midfield this term.
A promising debut
The former Borussia Dortmund star made a strong start to his Real Madrid career against AC Milan before scoring his first goal in the team’s second outing of the preseason against Manchester United.
He was one of the team’s best players in all four games, providing six key passes and completing eight dribbles in the process.
In a season where Real Madrid have largely struggled to keep pace with leaders Barcelona, Arda Guler has been one of the few bright sparks.
Despite his limited minutes, the Turkish international has shown that he is capable of becoming a first-team regular for Los Blancos, especially at a time when others, including Vinicius Jr. are struggling to make an impact.
Guler was notably named in Real Madrid’s five-player star of the month for September and the player could soon be rewarded with a contract extension as well.
New contract for Arda Guler
According to AS, Guler has agreed terms for a new deal at Real Madrid, in what could be the club’s first major renewal for the new season.
The young Turk’s current deal at the Bernabeu expires in 2029. But the renewal will ensure his future at the club at least until 2031.
The new contract will effectively acknowledge Guler’s growing role in the Real Madrid first-team and include a salary-increase.
The negotiations between the two parties had started last month and has now come to fruition, with Guler more than happy to continue his chapter at Real Madrid.
He also joins a long list of Real Madrid players with long-term contracts, including Yan Diomande, Vinicius Jr., Marc Cucurella, Aurelien Tchouameni and others.
An important season ahead
With the contract likely to be finalised soon, Arda Guler’s main goal will be continue to his form when the season restarts next weekend.
The forward has been involved in four goals in seven matches this season. With Vinicius and Diomande struggling for form, the Turkish international will have an excellent opportunity to become a regular starter for Jose Mourinho throughout the course of the campaign.
Mourinho, for his part, must identify how to get the best out of both Guler and an in-form Jude Bellingham. If the two can somehow work together in the final third, Real Madrid could find themselves dominating most matches.
