Real Madrid view 21-year-old starlet as a key pillar of Jose Mourinho’s project

Real Madrid view 21-year-old starlet as a key pillar of Jose Mourinho’s project Real Madrid are set to begin a new project under manager Jose Mourinho, and players have a fresh slate to impress and make themselves key cogs in the project. Many important first-team players were away on international duty at the World Cup, and the first one to return to Los Blancos training was Turkish starlet Arda Guler. Real Madrid see the 21-year-old as one of the most important players in the club’s long-term project, with his technical profile considered especially valuable. According to The Athletic , Madrid believe Guler can provide the creative quality needed to balance the physical strengths already present in the team. His understanding with star forward Kylian Mbappe has not gone unnoticed and is viewed as an important factor in determining his prominence. Guler offers something different Cornerstone of the project. (Photo by Alex Grimm/Getty Images) The Turkish midfielder gives Real Madrid a profile that is difficult to replicate. He can receive between the lines, play the final pass and bring more imagination to attacking moves. That variety matters. Los Blancos already possess players capable of dominating games physically, carrying the ball over long distances and attacking space aggressively. Guler can complement those strengths by slowing moments down, finding passing angles and creating chances in tighter areas. The Guler-Mbappe relationship His relationship with Mbappe is another encouraging factor. The duo combined for a lot of the Frenchman’s goals last season. Guler knows exactly how Mbappe likes to make runs and has the vision to find the pass, and Mourinho will be keen to get the best out of the duo. Mbappe and Guler forged a formidable partnership. (Photo by Denis Doyle/Getty Images) The manager has managed to bring the best out of such combinations previously, as he did with Heung-min Son and Harry Kane at Tottenham. If he manages to play both Guler and Mbappe to their strengths, it could help improve both their outputs and, thereby, help the team win games. Real Madrid see a long-term cornerstone The most significant point is how highly the club rate Guler internally. Real Madrid are not simply viewing him as a talented squad option, but as an important piece of the future. This puts massive responsibility on the player. The Turkish international had a World Cup to forget, but there is no doubting his talent. A manager like Jose will also be able to bring the best out of him. It does feel like this decision that Los Blancos have made could benefit them massively. It remains to be seen what kind of role Guler has in Mourinho’s team and how he settles under the Portuguese tactician in the coming weeks and beyond.