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A large majority of Spanish football fans believe Türkiye international Arda Guler should be in Real Madrid's starting eleven, according to a recent poll by Spanish daily AS.
The poll, published after the midfielder's standout performance at the FIFA Club World Cup, showed that 86 percent of respondents think Guler deserves a starting role. Fourteen percent were against the idea.
Guler, 19, scored in Real Madrid's match against Pachuca, drawing praise from supporters and local media.
Under coach Carlo Ancelotti last season, Guler saw limited playing time and was linked with a potential move. However, new manager Xabi Alonso has expressed confidence in the player and confirmed he will receive more minutes in the upcoming season.
"Adaptation takes time. Players like Arda and Endrick develop more clearly in their second seasons," Alonso said.
The midfielder joined Real Madrid in 2023 from Fenerbahce and represents Türkiye at the international level.
The Turkish international has made 45 appearances across all competitions so far this season, scoring six goals and providing nine assists.
In LaLiga, he has played 28 matches, registering three goals and five assists. In the Copa del Rey, he has two goals and four assists in six matches. He also scored once in the FIFA Club World Cup.
Guler has logged a total of 1,880 minutes this season. He featured in seven UEFA Champions League games and appeared in the UEFA Super Cup and FIFA Intercontinental Cup.
Despite early doubts, Guler’s trajectory is now firmly upward at Real Madrid. For now, he remains an integral part of Alonso’s long-term plans—and a fan favorite.
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