Numbers explain why Real Madrid moved swiftly to renew young midfielder’s contract

Numbers explain why Real Madrid moved swiftly to renew young midfielder’s contract One month into the new season, Real Madrid may not have much to show for it in terms of performance, despite signing multiple new players in the summer transfer window. But there have been promising sparks here and there, including the performances of Arda Guler, who is really making strides in his bid to become a key player at the Santiago Bernabeu. Recent reports indicated that Real Madrid have been impressed by Guler’s performances and are ready to hand him a renewal that will seal his long-term future at the club. Why Real Madrid want to renew Guler As reported by Bernabeu Digital , Guler’s numbers this season go a long way to explaining why Real Madrid are so keen to extend and improve his deal. Arda Guler has been impressive this season. (Photo by Florencia Tan Jun/Getty Images) The Turkish international leads the entire squad in a host of attacking metrics, despite ranking only tenth in minutes played. He tops the team for chances created with 28, big chances created with eight, and completed crosses with 14, while his expected assists rating of 3.01 is also the best in the squad. For a player who has featured for just 346 minutes so far, those figures are remarkable, and they reinforce exactly why Real Madrid view him as a genuine talent worth building around. A huge impact in limited minutes Perhaps the most interesting and compelling part of Guler is the gap between his game-time and his output. The 21-year-old simply does not need vast amounts of playing time to be among Real Madrid’s most productive players. Can Guler become a first-team regular? (Photo by Fran Santiago/Getty Images) He has already registered two assists this season, placing him joint-second in the squad, and has completed seven successful dribbles to go with his creative numbers. That efficiency has not gone unnoticed by the coaching staff, with Guler consistently making a difference whenever called upon. His ability to unlock defences and create high-quality chances offers Real Madrid a creative dimension they have often lacked. With competition for attacking places fierce, Guler faces a battle for regular minutes. However, his sparkling output suggests it may only be a matter of time before he becomes a first-team regular. For now, tying him down to a long-term deal is a clear priority for Real Madrid.