By Senhan Bolelli
MADRID (AA) - Facing a learning curve at the Spanish powerhouse, Real Madrid’s Arda Guler is getting stronger and stronger, and “his time will surely come,” said manager Carlo Ancelotti.
"He is progressing well. Physically he's getting better every day and he's getting used to the intensity of Spanish football. But as I always say, you have to be patient," the Italian coach said about Guler, who signed with the club last July.
At a news conference, Ancelotti said he feels for the young Turkish midfielder.
"I understand the pressure on Arda because there is an entire country, Turkey, behind Arda Güler. The whole country wants to see him play for Real Madrid. But this boy is 18 years old. His time will come," he added.
So far, Guler has only started and played 59 minutes in Copa Del Rey and came on in the last minutes of the Super Cup semifinal against Atletico Madrid and the league game against Las Palmas.
Several injuries, including to the knee and muscle, have kept the Turkish international sidelined for months.
- Contracts of Real Madrid's Kroos, Modric set to expire
With Real Madrid's contracts with Toni Kroos, Luka Modric, Jose Ignacio Fernandez (Nacho), and Lucas Vazquez set to expire at the end of the season, the Spanish press is having a heated debate over their futures.
In particular, the future of 38-year-old Croatian midfielder Modric is in question.
Ancelotti said the veteran footballer wants to renew his contract with Real Madrid.
*Writing by Selcuk Bugra Gokalp