Arda Güler has clocked a total of 279 minutes so far this season, 239 of which have been in La Liga. Only Lunin, Vallejo, Endrick, Lucas Vázquez, Ceballos, Camavinga, and Brahim—three of whom have been sidelined with injuries for much of the early season—have played fewer minutes than him. Despite the high expectations surrounding the young Turkish talent, Güler is not receiving the level of trust many anticipated from Carlo Ancelotti. This past Saturday, he remained on the bench once again as the coach favored Luka Modric.

After a standout performance in the Euros and an impressive finish to last season, both the club and coaching staff expected Güler to have a more prominent role this year. However, the statistics tell a different story, despite the positive impression he has made when given the opportunity.

This has left many wondering why Güler hasn’t seen more playing time. Aside from the competition for spots in the starting eleven, Relevo reports that there is another factor: Ancelotti’s observations during training sessions at Valdebebas. Similar concerns arose last season, leading to several discussions between Güler and the Real Madrid manager.

According to internal sources consulted by Relevo, Ancelotti is not entirely satisfied with Güler’s defensive contribution during training. While his attacking qualities are undisputed, the Italian coach expects more intensity in defensive duties. Ancelotti has communicated this to Güler, who has responded with hard-working displays on the pitch, such as in the match against Real Sociedad. However, the coach continues to prioritize defensive discipline over offensive flair, which explains why Güler was left out of the starting lineup in what seemed like an ideal opportunity against Villarreal.

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