Carlo Ancelotti’s sidelining of Arda Guler this season has simply been inexplicable, especially considering the youngster’s impact every time he has taken to the field.
Real Madrid’s midfield has been flaccid all season, lacking the spark required to light up the final third and often falling short in terms of cohesion. When the team hit rock bottom on that front against Lille, it was only Guler’s introduction that brought life to the Merengues.
Despite seeing his impact first-hand, Ancelotti deployed five midfield players against Villarreal at the weekend, none of whose name was Guler.
The player and his entourage are understandably frustrated at his exclusion and the decision to bench him in the team’s most recent clash may well have been the final nail in the coffin.
Guler may thus consider leaving on loan in January, so as to further his experience and return a better-honed player. With Fenerbahce interested already, negotiations may be easier than Real Madrid expects.
Endrick
Endrick’s case at Real Madrid is quite difficult to understand, for the player has dished out polar performances in the few minutes he has garnered.
The Brazilian impressed with his initial debuts across competitions, scoring in his first appearance not only in La Liga but also in the UEFA Champions League.
His first start for the club came against Lille and it is safe to say that it was a disaster. The player barely completed 20 touches of the ball on the night and made no impact in the final third.
Competing for a starting position with Kylian Mbappe, Vinicius Jr. and Rodrygo, the youngster is clearly far down the pecking order to garner meaningful minutes.
A departure on loan can thus not be ruled out, especially given how important regular playing time is to his development at this point.
Dani Ceballos
The third and most likely departure this summer is Dani Ceballos whose role at the club has become redundant.
The veteran signed a contract extension with Real Madrid just over a year ago with a promise of regular playing time.
Despite the guarantee, however, Ceballos has found it difficult to see any action on the field. He made just five league starts last season and has not even completed 90 minutes so far this term.
Real Betis and AC Milan have been linked with his name in recent times and could both look to go big for his signing. With Los Blancos also needing reinforcements of their own, Ceballos’ sale could bring in some revenue.
