Real Madrid News
Real Madrid youngster spoke with national team manager to discuss possible call-up
Even though Arda Guler has been a Real Madrid player for four months now, the 18-year-old wonderkid is yet to play a single minute of football with his new club.
The teenage prodigy arrived at the Spanish capital outfit from Fenerbahce during the summer in a deal worth €30 million (including add-ons).
But back-to-back injuries have meant that the youngster has had to agonisingly wait on the sidelines for his time while fellow summer arrival Jude Bellingham has gone about establishing himself as the main man at Real Madrid.
Guler’s wait for a debut, though, is likely to come to an end tonight when Real Madrid face SC Braga, with the 18-year-old expected to play some part in the contest at the Santiago Bernabeu.
International return on the horizon?
There could be more good news on the horizon for Arda Guler as his comeback to full fitness could lead to a return to the Turkish national team.
Indeed, as reported by Jose Luis Sanchez, Turkey manager Vincenzo Montella was in Madrid recently and spoke with Guler about his physical condition and held discussions about his possible call-up to the national team setup.
Montella also interacted with Real Madrid boss Carlo Ancelotti to gain more information on Guler’s condition and the club’s plans for the 18-year-old wonderkid.
“I decided to visit Arda Güler in Madrid as I’m sure he will have a bright future, he’s an excellent talent. I’m not worried about his injuries, he’s our future,” Montella said about his meeting with Guler (h/t Fabrizio Romano).
Guler has four caps for Turkey
The teenager made his Turkey debut almost a year ago in a friendly against the Czech Republic.
Following that Guler accrued three more caps for the Turkish national team, even scoring in his last appearance against Wales in a Euro qualifier in June earlier this year.
Turkey face Germany in a friendly later this month before taking on Wales in a Euro qualifying fixture.
Considering that Guler has barely had any minutes, a call-up to the national team setup might be premature.
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
