- Arda Guler yet to play for Real Madrid after undergoing knee surgery in pre-season
- Teenager didn’t get off the bench against Rayo Vallecano
- Carlo Ancelotti is keen to protect the summer signing
Arda Guler, a Real Madrid star, was finally named in a matchday squad for his new club over the weekend after many months of frustrating injury problems, albeit he did not play.
Guler has been one of the world’s most talked-about young players in the last year. Madrid beat Barcelona to his signing, finally paying Fenerbahce a sum that was slightly more than the teenager’s release clause.
He was forced to return home early after Madrid’s pre-season tour of the United States owing to a knee injury that needed surgery to rectify.
Carlo Ancelotti deemed Guler fit in late September when he began training. He was set to make his debut against Las Palmas that month, but a muscular injury forced him to withdraw.
Last month, the 18-year-old returned to training, but Madrid officials were careful not to hurry him.
Guler was assessed ready for a bench spot in Sunday’s La Liga visit from Rayo Vallecano by Ancelotti, but he did not play as a replacement due to the nature of the game.
When the manager came to his bench to attempt to win the game, which ended 0-0, Nacho, Toni Kroos, and Rodrygo were given the nod.
“It wasn’t the time because there was a lot of fighting, high balls, and duels.” “We have to proceed calmly, and I believe he will play soon,” Ancelotti said of Guler’s absence.
Madrid’s next two games are both at home, with Braga from Portugal coming in the Champions League on Wednesday and Valencia traveling inland in La Liga on Saturday. Guler might make his debut in any game if he plays more comfortably.