"Will lead us to what we dream of" - Ex-Barcelona star sends confident message about Real Madrid ace Arda Guler
Former Barcelona star Arda Turan has talked up the importance of Real Madrid starlet Arda Guler ahead of Turkiye's Euro 2024 clash with the Czech Republic. The tricky teenage attacker made a stunning start to the tournament with a wonder strike in a 3-1 win against Georgia (June 18).
However, Vincenzo Montella opted to bench Guler, 19, in their following game against Portugal. They suffered a 3-0 loss, and the Los Blancos forward came off the bench in the second half.
Turan thinks Guler will be vital for Turkiye's hopes of a successful Euro 2024 campaign. They are next in action against the Czech Republic on Wednesday (June 26) and head into that game second, two points above the Czechs and Georgia.
The former Barcelona attacker told Spanish outlet AS that Guler was Turkiye's megastar. He alluded to the playmaker being benched against Portugal, which was due to fatigue:
"Arda is our pearl. He will get the 90 minutes with the national team when we really need it . He played very well between 8 and 10 games at the end of the season at Real Madrid. The field was heavy in the game against Georgia. When you look at it from the outside, it's like Arda can do everything he can to protect a player."
Turan highlighted his qualities on the ball and how he's needed when Turkiye faces the Czech Republic:
"He has the ball, we can use it effectively in games where we will attack. Arda is one of the players who will lead us to what we dream of. I don't think Arda is part of the crisis. We should talk about his football and have fun. He is a pearl . We need that. We need Arda against the Czech Republic. I think our coach will use him when we need him the most."
Guler arrived at Real Madrid from Fenerbahce last summer for €20 million. He encountered a difficult start to the season amid fitness issues but shined in the latter stages. The 'Turkish Messi' posted six goals in his last seven La Liga outings.
Dwight Yorke urges Manchester United to 'rescue' Guler from Real Madrid
Guler has spent just a year at the Santiago Bernabeu, and many expect him to become a more prominent member of Carlo Ancelotti's first team next season. He made five starts in 12 appearances during his debut campaign at Real Madrid.
There has been no suggestion the nine-cap Turkiye international is considering a departure. He has five years left on his contract and is regarded as a long-term talent who will become a world-beater.
Dwight Yorke still thinks Manchester United should try their luck and swoop for Guler. He suggested the Turk may want to be 'rescued' from Ancelotti's bench (via Metro):
"He has lit up the Euros, and now everyone will be wanting to rescue him from Real Madrid’s bench."
Yorke alluded to high-profile departures, such as Kevin De Bruyne and Mohamed Salah leaving Chelsea before enjoying illustrious careers:
"We’ve seen the likes of Kevin De Bruyne and Mohamed Salah leave a big club like Chelsea and it has benefited their careers. Who is to say that Guler leaving Real Madrid to join Man United won’t be a similar case?"
Reports claim Ancelotti has decided the Turkish wonderkid will stay at Real Madrid and fight for a starting berth. He'll be vying with the likes of Federico Valverde and Jude Bellingham.