Real Madrid News
Real Madrid superstar’s alarming drop in efficiency in front of goal hurting team
For a player of Kylian Mbappe’s calibre, the current situation feels almost surreal.
Despite racking up an impressive 39 goals across all competitions this season, the Real Madrid forward is now experiencing something entirely unfamiliar – a prolonged dip in efficiency that is beginning to impact his performances and the team’s results.
To put it in perspective, it must be noted that in his first 31 matches this season, Mbappe was virtually unstoppable, scoring 38 goals with ruthless consistency.
Back then, he needed just four shots to find the net, which is an efficiency rate of around 25%. Goals came every 70 minutes, underlining his dominance in front of goal.
But since mid-February, everything has changed. Across his last seven matches, though, Mbappe has managed just one goal.
The numbers behind that decline are even more alarming, as he now requires 25 shots to score once, with his efficiency plummeting to just 4%.
From clinical to wasteful, the shift has been dramatic.
Uncharted territory for a proven finisher
Simply put, a player who has scored 83 goals in just 96 appearances for the club has never before gone through such a run and the issue is certainly not a lack of opportunities.
This is because Mbappe continues to find space, continues to create chances, and continues to test opposition defences.
The problem lies in the final action – the finishing touch that once defined him.
The timing of this slump is particularly concerning since Real Madrid are entering the decisive phase of the season, with their La Liga hopes fading and their Champions League campaign hanging in the balance.
Furthermore, recent results reflect this struggle, as defeats against Mallorca and Bayern Munich, followed by a frustrating draw against Girona, have exposed the team’s lack of cutting edge.
For a player driven by excellence, this is a challenge that demands a response.
Mbappe himself is actively searching for answers, determined to rediscover the form that made him one of the most feared forwards in world football.
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.
Hala_Madrid
April 11, 2026 at 12:56 pm
What about Vinicius? He’s been worst. He constantly tries to dribble the whole defensive line instead of passing the ball once he dribbles the first defender inside the box to a better positioned teammate with a shot at goal. He’s been making the same mistakes and irrational decision for years with no improvement in sight. Time to sell Vinicius when he still has some value, way overrated. He means well and gets unfairly abused because of his race, but Madrid needs to move on. There are better left wingers.