Arda Guler's fate takes a turn.

At the 2025 Club World Cup, amidst the whirlwind of tactics and spectacular performances, one name quietly became the center of every move, of both expectation and belief in victory: Arda Guler.

Arda Guler is a different person now.

The young Turkish player – once a "right-wing magician" under Ancelotti – has now transformed into a midfield maestro, a true architect of Real Madrid's playing style. And the man who laid the foundation for this transformation is none other than Xabi Alonso.

From a show-off "number 10" to a center of power.

When Guler first arrived at Bernabéu, he was seen as a raw talent – ​​technically gifted, but without a defined position. Ancelotti allowed him to play as a free-roaming winger, where he could freely showcase his skills.

But that flair lacked system and tactical depth. Everything changed when Xabi Alonso took over as coach. With the eye of a former world-class central midfielder, Xabi saw in Guler the qualities to become the linchpin of the entire team.

Initially, there were trials against Pachuca and Salzburg – matches that weren't overly stressful but were enough to test his new playing style. But it was his two performances against Juventus and Borussia Dortmund – truly formidable opponents – that confirmed Guler was perfectly capable of playing a central role. No longer a flamboyant winger, he now controls the tempo, distributes the ball, and leads Real Madrid forward with composure and sharpness.

Xabi Alonso helped Arda Guler explode onto the scene.

Against Dortmund, Guler made 67 passes, more than anyone else on the pitch. He constantly made through passes, changed direction, and opened up play – leaving the opposing defense constantly on the defensive. Not only did he pass the ball, but Guler also "connected" the team. His excellent link-up play with Alexander-Arnold (10 times) and Valverde (9 times) showed his remarkable integration and increasingly mature tactical awareness.

Statistics don't lie: 179 touches, 141 accurate passes, 40 through balls, 140 assists, 68 sprints, a top speed of 32.5 km/h. But even more noteworthy is the quality of each movement – ​​every touch from Guler had a clear purpose and the ability to open up play for the entire team.

Not just initiating, but also in concluding.

Guler not only excelled in his role as a playmaker but was also incredibly effective in the decisive area. He assisted two goals against Dortmund – one for Gonzalo, one for Mbappe – both from razor-sharp passes.

Between the round of 16 and the quarter-finals, he created 5 scoring opportunities, led the team in the number of crosses into the final third, and, remarkably, 20 breakthroughs per game – without a single mistake. That's the precision of a playmaker, but also the vision of an artist.

Arda Guler could play a crucial role at Real Madrid in the near future.

However, the path to becoming a complete central midfielder isn't just paved with beautiful passes. Guler is still learning how to defend. He hasn't yet mastered positional awareness, and sometimes rushes forward unnecessarily in challenges – as in the match against Juventus, where Yildiz exploited the space between him and Trent, leading to 13 ineffective pressing attempts.

But the important thing is learning. The match against Dortmund showed Guler's significant improvement: he played more solidly, maintained his position, reduced direct pressing, increased indirect pressure (54 times), and played a key role in intercepting passes (53 times). He covered the most ground in the team (11.2 km), was always present in key areas, and wasn't afraid of physical contact or dropping deep to provide support.

Real Madrid's performance in this tournament showcased a tight defensive formation – 35 meters in length when pressing high, 25 meters in midfield, and 21 meters when defending deep. Within this system, Guller maximized his abilities because he was always surrounded by Valverde and Tchouameni – players who were not only strong but also highly disciplined. This support provided the springboard for Güler to freely create without fear of losing defensive balance.

The most valuable thing Guler received wasn't a new position, but the absolute trust of coach Xabi Alonso. "He needs to improve his defensive abilities, and the best way to learn is to play," Xabi said – concise, straightforward, yet full of understanding. In that environment, a talent like Güler not only thrives but is also honed in the right direction.

At 20 years old, Guler is on his way to becoming a top central midfielder in Europe – and potentially the heart and soul of Real Madrid for the next decade. This transformation is no accident. It's the result of strategic vision, a coach who understands the nature of the game – and a player who knows how to set aside his ego to learn, adapt, and improve. Guler's destiny has changed. And the one who rewrote it is Xabi Alonso.

Source: https://znews.vn/van-menh-arda-guler-doi-chieu-post1567233.html