Real Madrid midfielder gives Mourinho selection headache as he continues to shine in pre-season

Arda Guler appears to be making a strong case for himself at Real Madrid, with the Turkish midfielder continuing to impress Jose Mourinho during pre-season.

The 21-year-old has had to be patient since arriving at the Santiago Bernabeu, but his latest performances suggest that period could finally be coming to an end, reports AS.

Guler has produced two assists in Real Madrid’s meetings with Fiorentina and Ferencvárosi, showing the kind of creativity that can become decisive when opponents make life difficult.

Now, he appears to have done enough to earn another opportunity from the start against Deportivo La Coruña.

With several senior players unavailable, the Teresa Herrera Trophy could give Guler another chance to show Mourinho why he deserves a regular role once competitive football begins.

The most impressive part of Guler’s recent displays has not simply been the numbers.

His ability to recognise spaces before they open and produce a strong action in tight situations has stood out. 

Arda Guler has been really impressive in pre-season. (Photo by David Balogh/Getty Images)

Against both Fiorentina and Ferencvárosi, the Turkish international found ways to create opportunities when Real Madrid were not completely dominating their opponents.

Understandably, Mourinho is expected to demand an intense approach from his team, but intensity alone does not always break down a compact defence.

When opponents sit deep and close the spaces around the penalty area, Real Madrid need players capable of seeing possibilities that others miss.

Guler appears to have that instinct, since his creativity could become an important weapon for Mourinho, particularly against teams that refuse to give Real Madrid room to attack.

The biggest question surrounding Guler is no longer whether he has enough quality. Rather, it is where Mourinho should use him.

Until now, the Turkish gem has been operating in the advanced central role that could otherwise belong to Jude Bellingham. 

Guler is making a strong case for a starting role. (Photo by David Balogh/Getty Images)

Playing there allows him to receive the ball between the lines and use his passing and movement in the final third. But Mourinho also appears to be considering another possibility.

Guler could potentially operate deeper in a double pivot, giving Real Madrid more creativity from midfield. 

That option becomes even more interesting after Bernardo Silva struggled to fully impose himself in the deeper role against Ferencvárosi.

There are obvious differences between the two positions, though, and Mourinho will need to decide whether Guler’s attacking strengths outweigh the defensive demands of playing deeper.

For now, the fact that the manager is testing him in different roles can only be positive for the youngster.

It suggests Mourinho sees him as more than a specialist attacking midfielder.