Real Madrid News
Real Madrid worried about teenage prodigy’s recurring injury woes, no return date set
Arda Guler was one of several players Real Madrid signed during the course of the summer transfer window earlier this year.
But, the 18-year-old is yet to make his first-team debut for the Merengues as recurring injury woes have kept him away from action.
This past week, Guler suffered his third injury setback – a quadriceps issue this time – which is set to keep him out for close to a month.
Real Madrid worried
Given the 18-year-old’s regular fitness problems, Real Madrid have grown worried about his situation, reports Jose Felix Diaz of MARCA.
As mentioned earlier, this was Guler’s third injury since joining the Merengues back in the summer transfer window.
The former Fenerbahce wonderkid has not played any form of competitive football since early June and will now again have to wait for a month for his Real Madrid debut.
In light of Guler’s intermittent problems, Real Madrid sacked their medical staff chief this past weekend.
Furthermore, they are taking a very cautious and risk-free approach as far as the 18-year-old’s recovery and return are concerned.
No return date set
Indeed, given his constant fitness problems, Real Madrid have decided not to set a date for his return and debut for the first team.
The idea is not to put any kind of pressure on the teenage wonderkid and support him through the recovery process in a stress-free environment.
Real Madrid have total faith in Guler and see him as a special player, but they will not rush him back from injury.
The focus now is to look for what has gone wrong and find it and prevent the youngster from getting into a state of sadness and frustration.
Real Madrid are back in the Champions League following their impressive win against Cadiz on the weekend as they host Napoli at the Santiago Bernabeu for gameweek five.
They have already secured qualification to the round of 16, and even a point today would secure first place in the group.
With several players still injured, Carlo Ancelotti has opted for his best available starting lineup, with Daniel Carvajal taking responsibility of the captain’s armband at right-back. He will be aided by Ferland Mendy, who starts on the other side.
Meanwhile, in between them, David Alaba returns to the fold as the starting centre-back, partnering Antonio Rudiger. This duo has the responsibility of screening Andriy Lunin, who continues in goal in Kepa and Thibaut Courtois’ absence.
With both Eduardo Camavinga and Aurelien Tchouameni out, Toni Kroos gets the chance to play as the holding midfielder for two games in a row. Federico Valverde retains his spot, as well, while Dani Ceballos comes in for the injured Luka Modric in central midfield.
Rodrygo will spearhead the team’s frontline as one of the two twin forwards, while Brahim Diaz gets the nod over Joselu. Jude Bellingham is the final, and arguably the most important piece of the puzzle, playing behind the front-two.
📋✅ Our starting 𝗫𝗜!
— Real Madrid C.F. 🇬🇧🇺🇸 (@realmadriden) November 29, 2023
🆚 @en_sscnapoli #UCL pic.twitter.com/MarLb7TavA
Confirmed Madrid XI: Lunin; Carvajal, Rudiger, Alaba, Mendy; Valverde, Kroos, Ceballos; Bellingham; Diaz, Rodrygo
