[REVISION HISTORY]

Arda Güler's evolving role, tactical scrutiny, and transfer

Updated 12 times since CLSTR started tracking revisions of this situation.

What changed

2026-09-10 14:40 UTC → 2026-09-10 20:41 UTC · added ~~removed~~

Arda Güler's evolving ~~role~~ role, tactical scrutiny, and ~~competition under Mourinho~~ transfer

As the 2026 La Liga season progresses, Arda Güler continues to navigate intense competition for attacking roles from Jude Bellingham and Bernardo Silva. While José Mourinho previously emphasized the need for Güler to increase defensive pressure, the manager has since expressed strong confidence in the midfielder’s potential, suggesting he could develop into a player comparable to Luka Modrić. Mourinho ~~stated he~~ is “in love” with Güler’s style, noting his high-level talent and spatial awareness. This tactical integration has faced internal friction, specifically regarding Jude Bellingham, who requested a meeting to discuss discomfort with Güler’s tendency to play centrally. To address this, Mourinho moved Bellingham into a number 10 position within a 4-2-3-1 formation to reduce his defensive workload. Recently, Güler has emerged as Real Madrid’s primary creative force under Mourinho. While teammates such as Fede Valverde, Eduardo Camavinga, and Aurélien Tchouaméni provide defensive and physical stability, they lack the playmaking ability to break lines with decisive passing. Mourinho is now currently attempting to transition Güler into a deeper midfield role, ~~mirroring the progression of Luka Modrić. This~~ a shift is being implemented during active ~~competition, with Güler’s importance underscored in a recent match at La Cartuja, where he created more chances than any other player on the team.~~ competition. However, Güler’s role has become a subject of scrutiny. Journalist Xavier Bosch has criticized Mourinho’s tactical decisions, suggesting Güler has been substituted despite strong performances, potentially to avoid upsetting star players Kylian Mbappé and Vinícius Júnior. Bosch argues these decisions are driven by “ego management” rather than tactical necessity. For instance, following a loss to Real Betis, Güler was substituted while the score was ~~0-0,~~ 0-0; reports suggest that after he was replaced by Diomande, the team lost tactical direction and conceded. Similarly, in a match against Espanyol, he Güler was replaced despite being the best player on the ~~field.~~ field during a 1-1 draw. Amidst these tactical tensions, Güler’s future at the club remains a topic of speculation. Reports from fichajes.net indicate Chelsea FC, under coach Xabi Alonso, is preparing a €100 million offer for the midfielder. While President Florentino Pérez may consider a sale for liquidity, journalist Fabrizio Romano reports that Güler has already accepted a contract extension with Real Madrid, which is expected to run until June 2032.

Versions

Only revisions since CLSTR began indexing content versions appear here. Select a version to see what changed compared to the one before it.