While the headlines were taken mostly by the signing of Jude Bellingham and the pursuit of Kylian Mbappe, Real Madrid were also able to land the highly rated and talented youngster Arda Guler in the last summer transfer window.
The Turkish wonderkid came with high expectations, and his signing was made even special as Real Madrid got him just when Barcelona were about to complete his signing.
However, the youngster has had a horrible start to his career at the Spanish capital as injuries have kept him from making any appearance for the Royal Whites. He was in the squad for the games against Rayo Vallecano and Braga but did not make an appearance in either of the matches.
With Real Madrid having gotten a good lead with some time to spend in the match against Braga, it was expected that Ancelotti would take the opportunity to get Guler out on the pitch.
However, Gulder remained an unused sub, and the reason for his lack of appearance on the pitch was disclosed by Ancelotti before the match against Valencia:
“Unfortunately, he picked something up ahead of the game against Braga. It didn’t seem like anything serious but it’s still bothering him. It’s nothing important.”
“The player is a bit down because he’s young, he wants to play and to contribute. It’s a setback and a recurrence of his previous injury, but we have the international break now to get him back fit.”
While Ancelotti claimed that the setback is a recurrence of his previous injury, other reports suggest that the latest tear to his thigh is not related to any previous problems.
Real Madrid medical staff was hoping that this injury would be a minor one, but the hamstring tear is quite serious. Thus, Guler will have to wait a while more and is expected to make his return only after the Christmas break.