Mourinho’s Guler dilemma reveals Real Madrid’s toughest selection battle

Arda Guler’s substitution during Real Madrid’s first defeat of the season at Real Betis has put Jose Mourinho’s selection decisions under renewed scrutiny, with the Turkey international having been arguably his team’s most effective player before being replaced by Diomande on the right wing.

According to Spanish newspaper AS, Mourinho understands better than most that managing Real Madrid involves difficult decisions, perhaps more so than at any other club. The Portuguese coach acknowledged that one of his choices in Seville could be viewed as unfair: taking Guler off midway through the second half and introducing Diomande.

The decision was not a reflection of Diomande’s ability to influence the match. Real Madrid’s record signing, costing €125m in guaranteed money plus add-ons, was brought to the club for moments when the team needs a decisive intervention.

However, Guler had been Real Madrid’s outstanding attacking player. His withdrawal therefore appeared surprising, particularly given the numbers behind his performance. He created seven chances, more than any other Madrid player, and ranked second among the team’s outfield players for regaining possession, with five recoveries.

The Turkey international combined defensive effort with attacking invention, but Real Madrid’s forwards failed to make the most of the opportunities he helped create. Kylian Mbappe was among those unable to turn that service into a decisive result.

Mourinho’s explanation was that Guler risked receiving a second yellow card. That possibility was not remote: the player had already been close to another booking early in the second half. Mourinho said Real Betis players would have tried to “hunt him down” in that situation.

In Seville, the argument was considered understandable. Yet Guler’s substitution at Barcelona against Espanyol has made the issue more difficult to dismiss. On that occasion, Mourinho removed him after an hour, while Real Madrid were still searching for a winning goal, despite Guler having provided the assist for Jude Bellingham.

Guler had again been Madrid’s best performer, just as he had been throughout pre-season. On both occasions, his removal represented the easiest change for Mourinho to make, even when his displays suggested he should have remained on the pitch.

A wider selection problem

The Madrid manager must balance issues that are purely tactical with pressures that extend beyond what happens during a match. The treatment of Espe is another example. He has made a positive impact whenever selected, but continues to be introduced late because reducing Mbappe’s minutes without the result already being secure is almost unthinkable.

Bellingham did not produce a strong performance in Seville, but he remains Real Madrid’s most potent attacking weapon at the start of the campaign. That gave Mourinho enough reason to leave him on the field rather than make him the obvious substitution.

Vinicius presents an even more complicated case. Xabi Alonso attempted to rest the Brazil forward on a rotational basis last season and reduced his playing time when he was not at his best. The situation ultimately ended as it did, and Vinicius remains determined to feature in every match.

Convincing him that he should sometimes come off will not be easy. Nevertheless, he was not the player Mourinho sacrificed against Real Betis; that decision fell to Guler.

There was also evidence that Mourinho’s choice was not entirely misguided. Vinicius supplied Espe, who scored an equaliser that was later ruled out for offside, before the Brazilian won the penalty that Mbappe missed. He continues to offer plenty even when he is given relatively little.

For now, Guler retains his starting place in the role of an inverted right winger. But Diomande represents a significant threat to that position, just as his sizeable transfer fee underlines the expectations surrounding him. Managing that rivalry will be Mourinho’s next major challenge.

Guler, meanwhile, continues to take every opportunity available to him, even when those around him fail to match his level. He believes working with Mourinho this season can help him develop and make an important competitive leap. His chance to prove himself will come againprovided Mourinho keeps him on the pitch.