Real Madrid playmaker unsure about his place in the team despite top form in pre-season

Real Madrid playmaker unsure about his place in the team despite top form in pre-season Arda Guler has been one of Real Madrid’s standout performers throughout pre-season, continuing to build on an encouraging campaign under Jose Mourinho. Yet despite his fine form, the Turkish playmaker faces an uncertain battle for regular minutes, with competition for places fiercer than ever at the Bernabeu. And much of that uncertainty stems from the impending return of Jude Bellingham. Guler shining in pre-season According to Diario AS , Guler has been Real Madrid’s most in-form attacking player this pre-season, leaving a mark in every outing. Can Guler finally become Real Madrid’s most important player next season? (Photo by Alex Grimm/Getty Images) Against Fiorentina, he was the pick of the bunch even in a disappointing second-half display, and he followed that up with another influential showing in the 2-1 win over Ferencvaros in Budapest. There, Guler was involved in both goals without registering a goal or an assist himself, providing the corner for the first and a delicate touch to set up the second. Mourinho has clearly earmarked him for the number 10 role, and Guler has thrived there , orchestrating Real Madrid’s attacking play with his vision and creativity. On current form, it would be almost inconceivable to leave him out of the starting eleven if the season began tomorrow. The Bellingham dilemma Guler vs Bellingham fight could be interesting. (Photo by Stu Forster/Getty Images) The problem for Guler is that his best position is also occupied by one of the club’s biggest names. Mourinho asked the club to have two players for every position, and in attacking midfield, that means Guler competing directly with Bellingham. Should the Englishman rediscover the form of his debut campaign, there would be little argument over who starts. However, Bellingham’s output dipped over the following two seasons, and there was already debate last term about his place in the side. For now, circumstances favour Guler. The Turk enjoyed his best season yet with six goals and 14 assists, and with Bellingham unlikely to be at peak fitness for the league opener, Guler should get a run in the opening few matches. Beyond that, the competition only intensifies, with Diomande, Brahim Diaz and a returning Rodrygo all adding to the battle for attacking spots.