Real Madrid attacking midfielder Arda Guler was one of the best players on the team last season, nearly registering double digit assists for the Royal Whites despite being shuffled around multiple positions, from midfield to right wing and even to the left side of midfield in a wide 4-4-2.
But while Guler's best position on paper is the No. 10 where can create chances the most in the final third, the reality might be a little bit different. Because against the best teams in Europe, Guler is actually pretty ordinary in that position, unable to stay upright and beat defenders one on one when they are superior to him as an athlete.
At the end of the 2024/25 La Liga season, Carlo Ancelotti tried something different with Guler at Real Madrid. He did the same thing he did with another genius, diminutive, and highly technical player at AC Milan whom many saw quality but doubted he would be able to cut it without space in the grueling game: he played him deeper so that he would have the space to playmake as a regista.
Arda Guler thrives in the deep role
And Arda Guler was thriving as something of a playmaking No. 6, offering glimpses of what they missed with Toni Kroos, albeit in a different capacity. While that was all forgotten by Xabi Alonso and Alvaro Arbeloa, Jose Mourinho went to that well in just his first preseason game as manager against La Liga side Leganes.
Real Madrid fans noticed clearly how Guler was dropping deep into the midfield with even Fede Valverde playing a more advanced role than the Turkish international as the box to box midfielder with Guler focusing on playmaking.
it clearly worked, too, with Real Madrid winning their first friendly of 2026/27 1-0. Guler gets more space and has to be less in the physical fights and tussles, both risking less injuries and getting more of a cushion to play in the ball that start moves or even lead directly to goals.
Real Madrid are going to want to play on the counter, and Guler's technical quality and precision passing are going to be critical to springing quick attacks, utilizing the full extent of the pacy front three of Yan Diomande, Vinicius Junior, and Kylian Mbappe. As much as Guler is tabbed as the next Mesut Ozil as the 10 under Mourinho, he may just be the next Andrea Pirlo or Toni Kroos.
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