Real Madrid youngster Arda Guler is set to become a much-discussed topic as the January transfer window approaches.
The 19-year-old prodigy has once again found minutes hard to come by under Carlo Ancelotti even though he has done well every time he has been granted an opportunity.
Even though the team has lacked creativity and can use the presence of someone like Guler, the Italian tactician has been reluctant to trust the youngster, leading to question marks over his future.
Recent reports suggest that Guler is not frustrated about his situation at Real Madrid and remains firm on wanting to succeed at the Santiago Bernabeu.
But if the situation does not improve, a potential exit in January, possibly on loan, could become an option.
Tottenham interested
Amidst this, Fichajes reports that Premier League giants Tottenham Hotspur have shown some interest in signing Arda Guler from Real Madrid in January.
Tottenham manager Ange Postecoglou is said to be scouring the market for a new midfield reinforcement in the winter and has two options – Guler and AC Milan’s Tijjani Reijnders.
As per the report, Real Madrid would not be averse to an exit as they would prefer to see the Turkish prodigy get some minutes under his belt on loan in a highly-competitive atmosphere like the Premier League.
However, Postecoglou might not be completely on board with the idea of a loan signing as he would prefer a player who can arrive and establish himself as a part of the long-term project at Tottenham.
So, it remains to be seen whether this reported interest in Guler from Spurs leads to something or not. The youngster will not be short of options if the doors are indeed opened to a loan exit in January, with his former team Fenerbahce also keen.
In recent days, much has been said about Kylian Mbappe’s struggle to adapt to Real Madrid and the seeming inability of manager Carlo Ancelotti to integrate the French forward into his system.
While it is true that there have been some challenges surrounding Mbappe’s transition, as former striker Karim Benzema pointed out, it is becoming clear that the bigger issues at Real Madrid go far beyond just the Frenchman.
In fact, focusing solely on Mbappe might be missing the point—Real Madrid’s real problems lie elsewhere.
At the heart of Madrid’s struggles is a midfield that lacks consistency and a shockingly fragile defence.
To understand the severity of the situation, it is important to highlight that this is the first time since 2009 that Real Madrid have suffered consecutive home defeats, while also conceding three or more goals in each match.
This statistic alone paints a clear picture of the team’s defensive issues.
A defence that does not defend
Over the last two games, Madrid have conceded seven goals, which has led to back-to-back losses. These results have had serious consequences, especially considering how vital both domestic and international competitions are for the club.
Not only has the team failed to secure victories in these crucial games, but the way they have fallen short—particularly with the heavy scorelines—has been nothing short of scandalous.
The losses have left Madrid in a vulnerable position both in La Liga and the Champions League. To make matters worse, this marks the third loss for the team this season, which is already more defeats than the entire previous season (which saw only two losses).
Real Madrid’s drop in form is not just about style of play anymore—it is now affecting the results, and that is something the team, the management, and the fans cannot ignore.
Losing connection with the fans
To make matters worse, the team has conceded 18 goals in the 16 matches they have played this season. This has placed the defence under intense scrutiny. It is no secret that the team’s current form is far from ideal and conceding so many goals is a significant burden.
At this moment, collective responsibility in both attacking and defending must be taken. Madrid’s defence has to tighten up, and the players must keep their heads high, as the season is still long, and the team always fights until the very end.
The situation has caused growing concern at the Santiago Bernabeu, where the supporters have started to show signs of frustration.
The team’s disconnection from the fans was clearly evident during the second half of their latest match. There is no doubt that Madrid are under pressure, and with each passing game, the anxiety in the stands increases.
Currently, Real Madrid are trailing their arch-rivals Barcelona by nine points in La Liga. This gap, coupled with their underwhelming performances in Europe, has placed the team in a particularly precarious position.
The club find itself in uncharted waters, and the road ahead looks incredibly challenging. To put it simply, Real Madrid’s woes are much bigger than Mbappe’s adaptation problems.
The focus must shift to fixing the deeper, systemic issues within the team, especially the leaky defence and the lack of cohesion in midfield.
With the league and Champions League both still very much in play, Ancelotti and his squad need to find a solution quickly, or risk falling further behind their rivals.