Real Madrid are preparing for another blockbuster summer transfer window, as they have already secured the free transfer of Kylian Mbappe, who will be presented to the Santiago Bernabeu on July 16 after the European Championships are completed.
While Mbappe and France are among the contenders heading to the quarterfinals of the competition, the new Real Madrid star hasn’t actually been the most impressive player from his own club.
Jude Bellingham scored an even more decisive goal in the Round of 16, channeling his inner Cristiano Ronaldo (or Gareth Bale) with a bicycle kick for the ages to rescue England from the jaws of defeat.
Meanwhile, Arda Guler tossed up a pair of beautiful corners to help Turkey push past a David Alaba-less Austria, continuing a tournament that has, quite frankly, been more impressive than anyone else on Real Madrid.
And it is Guler who could prove to be the real X-Factor for Real Madrid next season, especially from a creative perspective in the aftermath of losing another Euro 2024 superstar, Toni Kroos, to retirement.
Guler does not play the same position as Kroos, though there is a belief that he could get game time in the midfield, in addition to minutes as a playmaker or a right winger in direct attacking positions.
Recently, Kylian Mbappe was asked why he does not make as many runs in behind the defense as he used to earlier in his career, specifically with the French national team.
His answer? He doesn’t have a playmaker like Paul Pogba who can find him on those plays:
“Why do I not make runs in behind anymore? It depends on the team. When we had Pogba for example, I could just blindly make a run and he would find me. Now I have to adapt to a different situation.”
Based on what Real Madrid fans have seen from Arda Guler at Euro 2024, the 19-year-old Turkish international and marquee summer 2023 signing could be that guy for the Merengues.
Aurelien Tchouameni and even Eder Militao are good “quarterbacks” from deep, but Mbappe already works with “Tchou” on the French national team. And neither he nor Militao are near Pogba technically.
Guler, however, may be even better than Pogba from a technical perspective, just looking at the crazy half-field shots or delicious assists he provides to his teammates.
If Real Madrid and Carlo Ancelotti have the stones to start Guler every game and find a way for him in the lineup – and chances are an attacking maverick like Don Carlo does indeed have the guts to do this – then Mbappe could be the one to reap some serious rewards.
A Real Madrid starting lineup with Leny Yoro to repeat as Champions League winners
Luka Modric, Olivier Giroud, and the 5 best players in world football older than 35 in 2024
This is what makes Real Madrid the most successful club in the world
Ranking the 10 best dribblers in world football right now in 2024
Where Does Vinícius Júnior Rank Among The Best Footballers In The World Right Now?
