Real Madrid’s new coach, Xabi Alonso, has had his first close look at promising Turkish midfielder Arda Güler, expressing positive surprise at his physical development as the team kicks off its Club World Cup campaign in the United States. Almost three weeks after his official presentation, Alonso is beginning to assemble his full squad, with Güler, along with key players Vinicius Junior and Andriy Lunin, recently joining the team in Florida.
The trio linked up with the squad for the Club World Cup ahead of Real Madrid’s opening match against Al-Hilal on June 18 at Hard Rock Stadium. This initial contact has allowed Alonso to gauge the readiness of his international stars who had extended rest periods after national team duties. A particular focus has been placed on the 19-year-old Güler, who is entering his third season with the club.
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Reports indicate that Alonso has been significantly impressed by Güler’s physical transformation. “He is bigger and stronger than I imagined; he already has a good physique for his age,” Alonso reportedly said according to Defansa Central. This positive surprise is attributed to the intense physical conditioning work undertaken by Antonio Pintus, Real Madrid’s fitness coach, which has added considerable volume and muscle to the young Ottoman, better preparing him to withstand the rigors of top-flight football.
Güler’s potential has long been recognized, even by Alonso himself, who sought to bring the midfielder to Bayer Leverkusen on loan during his time there. Real Madrid, however, steadfastly refused, demonstrating their firm belief in Güler’s long-term prospects at the Santiago Bernabéu.
The club is confident that, with Alonso’s guidance, Güler can secure more consistent playing time. Despite limited opportunities last season, accumulating just 1,773 minutes, Güler proved highly efficient, scoring five goals and providing six assists, showcasing his ability to maximize his chances. This efficiency, combined with his strong finish to the last season in both cup and league competitions, fuels his ambition for a more prominent role.
For Xabi Alonso, the Club World Cup serves as a crucial launchpad for his project. “We are starting a new stage and we have to prioritize what is important: what we want to be, how we want to play, and that we feel it,” Alonso stated upon the team’s arrival.
He acknowledged the accelerated timeline, noting, “Everything has to be accelerated because we have very little time to get to know each other and to train. We arrived here, and today Lunin, Vini Jr., and Arda are coming. We will start to make a team, and we have three training sessions before the match. We come with great enthusiasm, with the illusion of having a good tournament and being able to reach the end.”
It appears that Arda Güler is poised to have a very special place in Alonso’s scheme, with even the anticipated signing of Franco Mastantuono not expected to diminish his importance. The Club World Cup offers Güler a significant platform to further solidify his claim for a regular spot as Real Madrid embarks on this new era.
