Arda Guler’s remarkable numbers put Real Madrid’s creative dilemma in the spotlight

Arda Guler is still waiting for a regular starting place at Real Madrid, but the Turkey international has already emerged as one of the most productive creative players in Europe.

Despite limited playing time, Guler is averaging 8.3 key passes per 90 minutes, according to HudlStatsBomb data. That figure places him comfortably ahead of a group including Lamine Yamal, Rayan Cherki and Michael Olise.

Wesley of Roma is second in the ranking with 4.6 chances created per 90 minutes, followed by Manchester City’s Rayan Cherki on 3.9, Bayern Munich’s Michael Olise on 3.5, Martin Ødegaard on 3.4 and Barcelona forward Lamine Yamal on 3.3.

In La Liga, Spanish newspaper AS reported that Guler had created 24 chances in the opening five rounds, compared with 18 for Yamal. He also led the competition for big chances created, with six to Yamal’s five.

The most striking aspect of those figures is that Guler has produced them in only 227 minutes, an average of 45.4 minutes per match. He has started against Espanyol, Real Sociedad and Real Betis but has not completed a full game, with his 78 minutes against Real Sociedad his longest appearance.

He came on in the 87th minute against Malaga and in the 72nd minute against Rayo Vallecano. In only 20 minutes against Rayo, he created a goal for Kylian Mbappe with a perfectly weighted cross to the far post, a piece of creativity no other Real Madrid player managed during the match.

From Modric successor to midfield creator

Now in his fourth season at Real Madrid, Guler has increasingly been viewed as the long-term successor to Luka Modric in midfield rather than as a right winger. That helps explain why he and those around him were not concerned by the arrival of Franco Mastantuono, who operates in the same area of the pitch.

The approach adopted by Xabi Alonso last season and continued by the current coaching staff, led by Jose Mourinho, is to gradually develop Guler as a midfielder alongside a holding player such as Aurelien Tchouameni.

The advanced attacking midfield position is occupied by Jude Bellingham, but Guler’s ability to control the rhythm of matches has encouraged the view that he could become a creative deeper-lying midfielder.

Alonso said during the FIFA Club World Cup: “It is time to invest in Arda’s development. We are pushing him to gain experience and maturity, even if he makes mistakes as part of his development.”

Guler’s progress has extended beyond his final pass. His defensive numbers also point to a more disciplined player: he is fourth in La Liga for ball recoveries in the final attacking third, with five. Vinicius leads with six, level with Baena and Romero.

He has also become a dangerous set-piece specialist. Against Rayo Vallecano, his arrival brought greater organisation to Real Madrid’s dead-ball situations. He delivered a free-kick headed dangerously by Dumfries and a precise corner converted by Antonio Rudiger, adding accuracy after Vinicius and Mbappe had been sharing short corners.

Real Madrid extended Guler’s contract this summer from 2029 to 2032, underlining the club’s belief that its midfield can be built around him.

After the Rayo match, Mourinho said: “Arda is an excellent player. His talent is enormous and his impact is positive. His vision, decision-making and the stability he gives the team are outstanding. His potential is huge and his statistics are impressive. I do not want to exaggerate by saying he is the best of all, but he is certainly among the best.”

Guler is no longer simply a substitute waiting for an opportunity. His numbers have created a difficult question for Real Madrid: how can Europe’s most creative player remain on the bench?