Mourinho hails Guler’s quality as Madrid heads to Elche

Real Madrid manager Jose Mourinho spoke highly of midfielder Arda Guler on Monday as the club prepared to travel for its La Liga fixture against Elche.

Guler entered as a substitute in Madrid’s 4-1 victory over Rayo Vallecano on Saturday and helped calm the team during a stretch when they were struggling to control the match. The Turkish playmaker still faces stiff competition for a starting role, with Kylian Mbappe, Vinicius Junior and Jude Bellingham holding regular places in Mourinho’s lineup, while record signing Yan Diomande and Brahim Diaz add further depth in areas close to where Guler operates.

Mourinho praised the 21 year old’s overall game when asked about his progress. He said others who have watched Guler since his arrival are better placed to discuss his physical transformation, but that he personally finds Guler’s quality of play remarkable, pointing to his vision, decision making, playmaking and the stability and creativity he brings to the team. Mourinho called him a player with excellent potential who already carries statistics to back it up. The Portuguese coach added a touch of humor to his assessment, saying he would stop short of repeating the word top three times but was comfortable saying it twice.

Guler has built strong chemistry with Mbappe on the pitch this season, a partnership that showed again during Madrid’s fourth goal against Rayo Vallecano, which the pair combined to produce.

Mourinho also addressed the form of Vinicius Junior, who has scored just once so far this season. The manager said the Brazilian winger has not yet reached his best level, explaining that while assists and work rate for the team matter, the version of Vinicius he wants to see is the one who finds a single chance in a tight match and finishes it, the way he did in Lisbon during last season’s Champions League knockout rounds. Mourinho said that clinical edge has been missing recently, though he remains satisfied with Vinicius otherwise.

Real Madrid currently sit second in La Liga, three points behind leaders Barcelona, who have won every match so far this season.