"Shows great personality and great quality" - Jose Mourinho backs Real Madrid star to have a very bright future
Former Real Madrid manager Jose Mourinho has praised the young talents at Los Blancos, especially Arda Guler, who has made a strong start to the season. Guler joined the La Liga giants from Fenerbahce last summer in a move reportedly worth €20m.
The reigning European champions have had an underwhelming start to the season, winning two and drawing two of their opening four La Liga games. Despite this, they remain among the favorites to win both La Liga and the Champions League this season, given the quality of their squad.
Mourinho, who previously won a league title with Real Madrid, is particularly impressed with Guler’s potential. The Turkish international was considered a rising star at Mourinho’s current club, Fenerbahce, before transferring to the Spanish capital last year.
However, his dream move didn’t begin smoothly, as he suffered multiple injuries last season, which limited him to just 12 appearances. Nevertheless, he finished the season strongly, and carried that form into the Euros, where he helped Turkey reach the quarter-finals.
Mourinho believes the 19-year-old attacking midfielder has the character to succeed at a club like Real Madrid and praised his ability on the ball.
"Character is very important to play for Real Madrid and Arda Guler shows great personality and great quality. Carlo Ancelotti is a great coach to learn from. Arda is heading towards a fantastic future," Mourinho said (via Football Espana).
The Portuguese manager also praised Real Madrid’s recent transfer activity, highlighting how the club has secured some of the best young talents in the world and is developing them into potential superstars.
"The biggest club in the world can only have the best players in the world. Real Madrid are doing an incredible job of getting the best young players in the world. Vinicius and Rodrygo were signed when they were children, Jude Bellingham and Arda Guler when they were very young, and now Endrick," he added.
When Real Madrid manager Carlo Ancelotti discussed Arda Guler’s talent
Arda Guler didn’t have the best start to his Real Madrid career, but he made up for it later in the season season by consistently finding the back of the net.
Ancelotti was impressed with Guler’s performances and spoke highly of his talent after Real Madrid’s 1-0 win over Real Sociedad in April.
"I liked him a lot. It’s a ‘limit’ he has, because we all know he has extraordinary quality, a lot of talent. That’s where he needs to improve and he’s doing that. He has been working for a long time and, yes, he could have played earlier, because training has been going very well, but he is very young and he will come to the fore," he said (via Managing Madrid).
While Guler has displayed his potential more than once, the attacking firepower at Real Madrid means he usually comes off the bench to make an impact. Despite his limited playing time, he has expressed that he is willing to be patient and seize his opportunity when it comes.
“The quality of the players here is incredible and we have shown that we are all ready to help. I don’t just work on my physique, but also on my mentality. I’m being patient," the 19-year-old stated back in April (via Forbes).