Arda Guler Wins Real Madrid Player of the Month for September

Although there are a few other candidates, such as Thibaut Courtois, Jude Bellingham and Kylian Mbappe, there is a strong argument to say that Arda Guler has been Real Madrid’s best player so far this campaign.

His form has been so good that club record signing, Yan Diomande, has seriously struggled to get into the team, starting just twice so far, with one of those starts being in the same XI as Guler himself.

Owing to the young Turk’s excellent form, he has been recognised and acknowledged by the club by winning Real Madrid’s Player of the Month award for September.

Although it was a difficult month for the team, with defeats against Real Betis and Atletico Madrid, meaning Guler’s numbers did dip, his general performances were still very good, and he did register an assist in the win at home to Rayo Vallecano.

He should have a lot more assists in that time too, having created three big chances against Betis, as well as two each against Vallecano and Elche. So, seven big chances created for team mates and just one assist. He can certainly feel very aggrieved. Could have easily meant three points at Betis too. Double whammy.

In any case, a richly deserved award for Guler. He had a difficult time of it during the international break, with Turkey losing all four of their UEFA Nations League games, three of which he played (and started) in. It was a similar story for him there too, with three big chances created resulting in zero assists. 

Let's hope that form can continue from Saturday, where Real Madrid will be hosting Villlarreal as club football returns for match day eight of this La Liga season. You would imagine that he will again start off the right hand side for this one, with Bellingham as the nominal number ten. 

At some point, there is an expectation that, due to the big price tag, Diomande will come into the XI, which could see Guler be the victim of. That said, with the form, or lack there of, of Vinicius Jr off the left hand side, perhaps the Ivorian could start off the left hand side instead? We will see. 

Congratulations once again to a very talented young player, who lest we forget is still 21, despite being in his fourth season at Real Madrid. This certainly feels like it could be his breakthrough year. Let's see.