Mourinho’s faith in Arda Guler grows as Mbappe partnership flourishes at Real Madrid

Arda Guler has established himself as an increasingly important figure at Real Madrid, moving from limited opportunities during his first two seasons under Carlo Ancelotti to a regular starter in Jose Mourinho’s side.

According to Spanish newspaper Sport, the Turkey international has won over both the club’s supporters and Mourinho by showing the technical quality required to secure a place in a starting XI where competition is exceptionally intense.

Guler has played 845 minutes in 14 appearances this season, placing him among Mourinho’s 10 most-used players. He is still regularly substituted early, however, with an average of 61 minutes per match.

His importance is reflected more clearly by his league record: Guler has started 83% of Real Madrid’s La Liga matches, scoring four goals and providing seven assists.

Finding him a regular position has not been straightforward. Vinicius Junior, Kylian Mbappe, Jude Bellingham and Diomande have all competed for attacking and midfield roles, leaving Mourinho with a tactical problem to solve.

The Portuguese manager has responded by using Guler in several positions. He has played behind the striker, on the right wing and in a deeper double-pivot role alongside a more physically powerful midfielder, allowing him to remain involved regardless of his position.

Guler gives Real Madrid something the team has lacked for several years: a player capable of controlling the rhythm of matches and creating chances for fast forwards.

He has also developed a particularly effective relationship with Mbappe. The pair have combined for 19 goals through assists exchanged between them, making Guler the second-highest contributor to Mbappe’s goals since the France international joined Real Madrid. Vinicius Junior leads that ranking, having combined with Mbappe for 20 goals.

Their understanding is evident in the way they repeatedly look for each other during matches.

Guler’s role on the right wing perhaps best explains Mourinho’s determination to keep him in the team. Rather than operating as a conventional winger, the left-footed player begins wide before moving into the inside channels. That gives him a clear view of the pitch and adds another midfielder centrally, while Federico Valverde occupies the space on the flank.

The movement creates several advantages. It allows the right-back to advance and support attacks, while also providing greater width. Guler then becomes a second playmaker between the lines, forcing opponents to choose between sending a holding midfielder to track him or protecting the space around Mbappe.

From that position, Guler can also spot Mbappe’s diagonal runs behind the gap between the centre-back and full-back. His left-footed passing allows him to send the ball into the French forward’s path, using Mbappe’s pace to create danger.

That pattern has contributed significantly to their 19 combined goals.

The comparison with Mesut Ozil is difficult to avoid. Mourinho’s previous experience at Real Madrid with a left-footed player of Turkish origin who could retain possession and produce decisive passes came with the Germany international, who joined the club in 2010.

Ozil quickly became the ideal partner for Cristiano Ronaldo, just as Guler has become an important ally for Mbappe. Like Guler, Ozil often began on the right before moving inside and could influence matches through his reading of teammates’ movements rather than constant running.

With Guler, Diomande and Bernardo on the pitch, Real Madrid have reached their best level of the season, illustrated by an eight-match winning run.

Mourinho now faces a major selection decision. If he is willing to leave Vinicius Junior on the bench, the report suggests Real Madrid could collect the points needed to move closer to winning trophies this season. The team are due to face Celta Vigo in La Liga on 21 November 2026.