Real Madrid News
Real Madrid playmaker has Mourinho and board’s backing despite fierce competition
Real Madrid have a problem of plenty in attack, with Jose Mourinho facing a major selection dilemma on a game-to-game basis.
The likes of Kylian Mbappe, Vinicius Junior and Jude Bellingham are the first names written on the team sheet.
Also, the price that Madrid paid for Yan Diomande this summer suggests he is going to be a guaranteed starter for Jose.
Now, according to Mario Cortegana of The Athletic, Arda Guler may face one of the toughest selection battles in Real Madrid’s squad.
However, the silver lining for him is that there is no shortage of belief in the Turkish midfielder inside the club.
Mourinho believes in Guler’s role
Both Jose Mourinho and Madrid’s board regard Guler as an important part of the team’s future, even with players ahead of him.
If Mourinho sticks with his preferred 4-2-3-1, Bellingham is expected to occupy the No. 10 role, while Vinicius and Diomande provide the width behind Mbappe.
That does not leave an obvious starting place for Guler.
Yet Mourinho has already made his admiration clear. The Portuguese coach sees the 21-year-old as much more than a specialist attacking midfielder and has even suggested that, over time, he could evolve into a No. 8 and eventually a deeper No. 6.
That long-term view gives Guler several possible routes into the side.
Madrid board see him as structurally important
The backing is not limited to the coach.
Real Madrid’s hierarchy believes Guler can help give the team structure and direction through his touch, vision and ability to connect phases of play.
His relationship with Mbappe is considered another major asset.
Guler has the technical quality to find the French forward early, play between the lines and create the kind of combinations that can make Madrid’s attack more fluid.
That gives him value even if he is not one of the six or seven names considered automatic starters.
His future is not in doubt
The key point is that Guler is not being viewed as surplus simply because the competition is intense.
Madrid appear to see him as a player who can become increasingly important as Mourinho shapes the midfield over time.
The Portuguese manager may have already started working on the Turkish midfielder to use him in deeper roles in certain games this season.
There is also the possibility of Jose switching to a 4-3-3 and playing Bellingham and Guler as his two No. 8s.
For now, the challenge is keeping everyone happy, especially with Guler likely to want more minutes to justify his talent.
The upcoming season should give a clear picture of Madrid’s plans for the 21-year-old, and it remains to be seen how he develops.
Real Madrid News
Real Madrid dressing room heavyweight raises concern over Vinicius: “We have to make him happy again”
One of the major sagas of the summer transfer window was the contract renewal involving Vinicius Junior.
Real Madrid and Vinicius had been in talks over a new deal for a significant period, and there were stages when it felt like an agreement might not be reached.
However, in the end, the film had a happy ending, with the 26-year-old putting pen to paper on a new deal at the club.
Despite the new deal, there are some concerns over Vinicius that have now reached the dressing room.
As quoted by Diario AS, an unnamed dressing-room heavyweight approached Mourinho after the game and expressed worry about the treatment Vinicius is receiving from a section of the Bernabeu crowd.
“Worried about Vini
The concern came after Vinicius was heavily whistled when he was substituted late in the Inter match, despite producing one of his stronger collective performances of the season.
“Boss, I am worried about Vini,” the senior player told Mourinho.
“After everything he has done for Madrid over the years, the way part of the fans have treated him is not normal. We have to make him happy again.”
This is no longer only about outside criticism or Mourinho publicly defending one of his forwards. The dressing room itself has recognised that Vinicius may need support.
Mourinho still sees Vinicius as untouchable
Despite how the crowd have been treating the 26-year-old, within the club, there is no doubt about what Vinicius brings to the table.
Mourinho sees him as one of the first names on the team sheet and an untouchable player in his plans for the club.
To his credit, the Brazilian has shown far greater defensive commitment and a willingness to sacrifice himself for the sake of his team.
This has undoubtedly led Mourinho to appreciate the effort, and the manager is determined to help Vinicius return to his best level.
Madrid need to protect one of their key players
That approach makes sense.
Vinicius has spent years carrying enormous attacking responsibility at Madrid. A difficult spell should not suddenly erase what he has already shown he can provide.
If Mourinho, the president and the dressing room are all united behind Vinicius, that support could be decisive.
It is high time the Bernabeu crowd also got behind their talisman and gave him the support he deserves.
The Brazilian will also have to become more consistent with his performances, and it remains to be seen how Mourinho addresses this situation.
