Arda Güler Criticized Before Pachuca Clash: “You Cannot Play for Real Madrid”

Despite being touted as one of football’s brightest talents, Arda Güler is struggling to cement his place as a regular starter at Real Madrid. Ahead of the Intercontinental Cup final against Pachuca, criticism has emerged against the young Turkish prodigy.

Having chosen Real Madrid over FC Barcelona, Arda Güler made a decision driven by passion. However, his first season at the club has been hampered by injuries. Toward the end of last season, he showcased his potential with impressive performances and several crucial goals. Güler further elevated his reputation during Euro 2024, where he excelled with the Turkish national team and left a lasting impression.

Falling Short of Expectations

Despite those flashes of brilliance, Güler has yet to fully convince Carlo Ancelotti this season. Though his performances have shown glimpses of promise, they have not lived up to the high expectations set for him, especially when comparisons are drawn with Lamine Yamal, often dubbed the “Turkish Lionel Messi.”

Following Saturday’s match against Rayo Vallecano, where Güler started but failed to shine, criticisms have intensified. In a game where Real Madrid struggled defensively, Güler could not make a significant impact and received a rating of 5 from local media.

Harsh Criticism from Tomas Roncero

During his analysis on Cadena SER, Tomas Roncero, editor-in-chief at AS, did not hold back on his assessment of Güler. According to Roncero, the young Turkish midfielder lacks the spontaneity and intensity required to succeed at Real Madrid.
“I’ve never seen Güler play with intensity. He plays far too comfortably. If he doesn’t show aggression, he cannot play at Madrid,” Roncero asserted.

Roncero further emphasized the need for Real Madrid to address their defensive weaknesses in the January transfer window, criticizing the use of Aurélien Tchouaméni as a center-back. “Madrid suffered defensively in the first half. After going 3-2 up, they became overconfident, which is dangerous. This team urgently needs defensive reinforcements in January,” he added.

Roncero also highlighted Rodrygo’s standout performance, calling it his best of the season. However, he expressed concerns about Vinícius Jr.’s fitness, warning that he was overused during recent matches and needs to be preserved for upcoming key games like the Intercontinental Cup final in Doha.

A Key Opportunity for Güler

Real Madrid will face Pachuca this Wednesday in Doha, Qatar, for the Intercontinental Cup final. Should Carlo Ancelotti decide to field him, Arda Güler will have an opportunity to silence his critics and prove he belongs at the elite level.