Real Madrid News
Real Madrid youngster feels 100% fit ahead of Rayo Vallecano encounter
Arda Guler’s start to life in Madrid has been far from ideal. Since arriving amidst much hype in the summer, the youngster has faced a constant battle with injuries and is yet to make his debut.
Two injuries and a surgery later, the young Turk appears set to return to the first team scene and prove his worth to Carlo Ancelotti.
Ball in the manager’s park
According to reports from Mario Cortegana (h/t Madrid Zone), Arda Guler completed the training session yesterday with good sensations and is very close to being called up.
The player considers himself 100% ready to play, and it is now only up to Carlo Ancelotti.
Guler could thus enter the squad to face Rayo Vallecano later this weekend. Else, a return for the midweek UEFA Champions League clash against Braga is almost a certainty.
A mountain of expectation
Jude Bellingham has stolen the headlines in Madrid this season with his extra-terrestrial performances. Needless to say, the English phenom’s success only makes life for Guler more difficult.
The Turk arrived in Madrid with a mountain of expectation on his shoulders. He was dubbed as one of the best young talents in world football, and reports of his high quality in training only furthered the expectations.
Coming back from injury, he must fight with Real Madrid’s in-form signing for a starting spot in the attacking midfield.
Chances will thus come seldom, and he will be judged against Bellingham’s extraordinary level even on the occasion he plays.
The coming weeks will thus be critical for Guler, not only to solidify his place in the manager’s plans but also to rebuild his own confidence after a difficult period.
Nico Paz was long hyped as Real Madrid Castilla’s brightest upcoming star. The media constantly kept the spotlight on the young Argentine through pre-season as he made a strong impression under Carlo Ancelotti in preseason.
His breakthrough eventually arrived, courtesy of Real Madrid’s injury crisis. He has now made two appearances for the team in La Liga and the UEFA Champions League and even recorded his first goal for the club earlier this week against Napoli.
Taking his chances
As revealed by AS (h/t The Madrid Zone), Paz has impressed management with his cameo against Napoli and will be called up for Real Madrid’s clash against Granada tomorrow.
In fact, there is a good chance he sees significant game time on the night.
After all, Ancelotti is without the likes of Luka Modric, Aurelien Tchouameni and Eduardo Camavinga in the middle of the park.
With Toni Kroos, Dani Ceballos, Federico Valverde, and Jude Bellingham filling the starting spots, Paz serves as the manager’s first-choice backup off the bench.
Paz voices his elation
Paz’s introduction against Napoli changed the texture of the game, and it was only poetic that he got the goal that put Real Madrid ahead again on the night.
Speaking to the media after his special night, the Castilla star did not hold back on his emotions.
“This is a dream. For a moment I didn’t even believe it. Very happy to be able to help the team. I dared. I was in automatic mode, I didn’t even know what I was doing. I hit it and well.”
“This is also a message for the other youth players: it is possible to get there. Ancelotti congratulated me, and the whole staff. They are an incredible group and I want to thank them all,” he added, urging his Castilla teammates to keep pushing.
