In a stunning turn of events, Real Madrid’s new coach, Xabi Alonso, is making waves with his unconventional vision. At the center of this new tactical approach is Arda Güler, the 20-year-old Turkish prodigy who had previously been sidelined at the Bernabéu.
According to sources close to the Madrid locker room, the young player is now at the heart of a revolutionary tactical project—one inspired by a legend Alonso knows well: Andrea Pirlo.
From the “bench ghost” to a master in the making, Güler’s journey has been anything but smooth. After a grand arrival in the summer of 2023, he was plagued by repeated injuries and faced fierce competition from stars like Mbappé and Bellingham. He was on the verge of being forgotten, with rumors of a potential departure to the Premier League or Serie A.
But during their first private meeting, Alonso delivered a career-changing message to Güler: “I don’t need another winger. I see a Pirlo. You will learn to think like Pirlo.”
From that moment on, the staff saw a change in the young Turk. He was no longer a passive substitute but was given a new mission: to become the “regista” of tomorrow, a deep-lying playmaker who dictates the tempo and launches attacks with clinical elegance.
Alonso’s intentions were made even clearer during a press conference after Real’s victory against Al Ahly in the Club World Cup. When asked about Güler’s surprising new role, Alonso declared: “Güler is only 20, but I see a Pirlo in his eyes. It may be too early to say, but he already understands what others take an entire career to assimilate.”
The statement sent shockwaves through the press and social media, with headlines questioning if Güler was the “new Pirlo” and if Alonso was betting his coaching career on him.
Not everyone shares this enthusiasm, however. Some players in the locker room are reportedly unhappy with the swift promotion. One anonymous player told Marca: “We talk about merit and effort… and then a kid who has barely played in two years becomes a starter at the heart of the game? It raises questions.”
Alonso, for his part, fully stands by his audacious choice. For him, Güler is more than just a backup; he is the future of Real Madrid post-Modric.
While Alonso dreams of a Pirlo-like trajectory for his protégé, a similar path taken by Pirlo under Carlo Ancelotti at Juventus, the question remains whether Güler is ready for such a heavy burden at a club where every mistake is scrutinized.
What is certain is that this is no longer just a simple bet but a full commitment from the new coach. Güler’s success or failure will become the tactical signature of the Alonso-era Real Madrid.
