Jude Bellingham’s injury: Golden opportunity for Arda Guler?

benjamin benjamin
Aug 23, 2024 - 23:22 Updated: Aug 23, 2024 - 23:26
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Jude Bellingham’s injury: Golden opportunity for Arda Guler?
Jude Bellingham and Arda Guler (Courtesy of Goal.com)

Jude Bellingham, the English midfielder for Real Madrid and the current world’s most valuable footballer with €180 million, suffered a hamstring injury during Friday’s training session.

The official website of Real Madrid confirmed the news, indicating that the star player may be unavailable for a period of up to one month.

This season, Bellingham has been a critical component of Real Madrid’s tactical formation, primarily occupying the number 10 position. His offensive contributions, in conjunction with those of Kylian Mbappé and Vinícius Jr., have been indispensable to the team.

Who will play in Bellingham’s absence?

The news of Bellingham’s injury prompts a critical inquiry: who will assume his role in his absence? Recent years have witnessed a substantial squad rejuvenation at Real Madrid, and as a result, there are three prominent candidates to assume his role.

These individuals are the 25-year-old Moroccan playmaker Brahim Diaz, the Croatian Ballon d’Or winner Luka Modrić, and the Turkish wunderkind Arda Guler.

Real Madrid’s head coach, Carlo Ancelotti, will have to choose between these three options. However, who is the most probable candidate to enter the starting lineup?

Real Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti before the match, Santiago Bernabeu, Madrid, Spain – September 22, 2021. (Reuters Photo)

All eyes on Ancelotti

Real Madrid fans have expressed their strong support for the young Turkish talent Arda Guler on social media in response to the announcement of Bellingham’s injury. Fans have posted comments like “It’s Arda Guler time,” “Bellingham out, Arda in,” and “Arda Guler for the starting lineup.”

Given Real Madrid’s recent emphasis on young players, it is unlikely that the 38-year-old Luka Modric will start. The veteran midfielder has begun to exhibit symptoms of fatigue in full 90-minute matches, despite his continued possession of immense technical quality. This could be a disadvantage in Real Madrid’s fast-paced, dynamic setup.

Brahim Diaz is an additional alternative. Valued at €40 million, the 25-year-old played in 31 La Liga matches last season, accumulating 2,066 minutes and contributing 8 goals and 7 assists. Diaz participated in 44 official matches for Real Madrid during the 2023/24 season, playing 16 games as an attacking midfielder and another 16 as an attacker.

Arda Guler and teammates celebrate victory against Georgia during the 2024 European Football Championship (EURO 2024) Group F football match, Dortmund, Germany, June 18, 2024. (AA Photo)

Arda Guler, a Turkish youngster, is the final contender. The 19-year-old Turkish player had a successful Euro 2024 campaign and, despite playing only 440 minutes for Real Madrid last season, managed to score six goals in 12 appearances. Arda Guler’s current market value is €45 million.

Many supporters believe that Guler’s playing style is well-suited to Real Madrid’s system and that Ancelotti could rely on him in the event of Bellingham’s absence. The resounding support on social media indicates that a significant number of individuals perceive this as a valuable opportunity for emerging talent.

As Real Madrid prepares for the coming fixtures without Bellingham, all eyes will be on Ancelotti’s decision regarding who will step up to fill the void in the team’s attacking midfield.