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Turkish coach backs Real Madrid youngster to improve under Alonso: ‘Thrives on difficulties'

Turkish coach backs Real Madrid youngster to improve under Alonso: ‘Thrives on difficulties'

Yahoo18-06-2025

Xabi Alonso's arrival is set to change a lot at Real Madrid, the first being the hierarchy of players Carlo Ancelotti so stringently maintained at the club.
While the Italian tactician believed in trusting experience and big names come what may, the new coach is not one to reward fame but one to prioritise performance.
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Younger stars and academy players who step up their game, thus, are expected to see their stocks rise under his tutelage and Arda Guler is one such player who hopes for a complete turnaround in his situation.
Turkish manager speaks
Speaking to the media in a recent interview, current Antalyaspor manager and former Turkish international Emre Belozoglu commented on Real Madrid's Guler, his situation at the club and how it was expected to improve under the new manager.
He began by praising the young talent's ceiling and ability to decide games by coming up clutch and providing sublime passes under pressure.
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'There aren't many players with the gift and divine talent of Arda Guler.'
A more prominent role awaits. (Photo by Juan Manuel)
He then expressed his sincere hope and expectation that the new manager Xabi Alonso will give the Turkish talent more opportunities and a regular starting role which he struggled to earn under Carlo Ancelotti.
'With Xabi Alonso, we'll see a very different and more accomplished Arda Guler. He'll improve.'
Finally, Belozoglu was asked if Guler should consider a move away from Real Madrid, even on loan, given the tight competition for minutes in midfield. The manager, however, was convinced that the conditions were right for the starlet to bring his A-game to the table.
'I know his character. He thrives on difficulties and on overcoming them. He likes to surf the toughest waves.'
Source: AS

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