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Published November 25, 2024 11:01am Updated November 25, 2024 11:01am
Real Madrid head coach Carlo Ancelotti stressed that he would be ‘counting on’ Arda Guler and ‘needed’ the midfielder going forward following the side’s 3-0 victory over Leganes.
Guler was handed only his fourth start of Madrid’s La Liga campaign against Leganes and the 19-year-old repaid his manager’s faith, producing a fine performance at the Estadio Municipal Butarque.
Kylian Mbappe notched his seventh goal of the season to get Madrid up and running in Sunday’s one-sided contest, before Federico Valverde and Jude Bellingham put the visitors out of sight in the second period.
Guler may have come away with the man-of-the-match award had it not fine for Mbappe’s excellent all-round display and the youngster will be desperate to continue his run in Ancelotti’s XI at home to Liverpool in the Champions League on Wednesday night.
Rumours emanating out of Spain in the build-up to Madrid’s win suggested Guler was growing agitated with his lack of regular playing time, with Arsenal reportedly contacting the teenager’s entourage over a potential move to the Premier League.
However, it appears Ancelotti has no interest in losing Guler, a player many consider to be one of the most exciting young talents in European football.
‘When the team plays well it’s because everyone contributes,’ Ancelotti told reporters at his post-match press conference.
‘Arda has contributed a lot when it comes to creativity in the final third, he has been close to scoring goals, he has played a complete game.
‘These are players that we can count on at this moment because the demands of the games are very high.
‘We need everyone going forward.’
Ancelotti praised Madrid’s defensive showing and joked that Valverde was the best full-back on the planet – after Dani Carvajal and Lucas Vazquez, who are both sidelined through injury.
‘We did very well at the back. [Raul] Asencio had a very good game, playing very well and with maturity.
‘Valverde is a fantastic full-back. After Carvajal and Lucas, the best full-back in the world [laughs].
‘The problem is that he can play like that in many positions on the pitch and the problem for the coach is choosing the best position for the team. He has incredible speed.’
The result ensured Madrid kept themselves within four points of league leaders Barcelona, who were held to a 2-2 draw at Celta Vigo on Saturday.
Los Blancos have a game in hand over Barca ahead of their clash with lowly Getafe at the Bernabeu next weekend.
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