The new Real Madrid boss may have discovered a hidden gem in the squad that could be the team’s new Wirtz.
Xabi Alonso may have found Real Madrid’s version of Florian Wirtz – and the player is already under contract with the club.
Read: Liverpool accelerates pursuit of €100m signing
Just a month ago, Liverpool sent shockwaves through the football world when they announced the signing of Bayer Leverkusen star Wirtz for a record transfer fee of at least £100 million, with an additional £16 million in bonuses.
The German international attracted interest from several of Europe’s top clubs, including both Bayern Munich and Real Madrid, but ultimately opted to sign a five-year contract with Liverpool.
Real Madrid must find alternatives
Since then, both Bayern Munich and Real Madrid have had to consider other options for the talented midfielder – a difficult task as they both participate in the ongoing Club World Cup.
But it seems that Real’s busy schedule in the tournament may have been a blessing in disguise, as it has given Alonso the opportunity to discover a player who could be the team’s new Wirtz.
Arda Güler – a hidden star
Despite Real Madrid being knocked
out of the Club World Cup in embarrassing fashion after a crushing 4-0 defeat to Paris Saint-Germain, the tournament has given Alonso time to get to know his new squad.
And along the way, the Spaniard has realized just how talented young midfielder Arda Güler really is – and identified him as someone who can fill the role Wirtz played in Alonso’s Bayer Leverkusen team.
Wirtz-like tactical flexibility
As pointed out in a report by TotalFootballAnalysis, Alonso has tested Güler in several different roles at the Club World Cup to find out how the Turkish international fits in best.
Against Juventus, the 20-year-old played as an inside winger, while against Dortmund he acted in a double pivot alongside Aurélien Tchouaméni.
In both games, the youngster excelled as one of the best on the pitch, showing – just like Wirtz – the ability to receive and play the ball quickly over impressive distances, while creating chances for his teammates.
The perfect Wirtz replacement?
Although Real Madrid have several of the world’s best midfielders, including Jude Bellingham and Federico Valverde, no one fits Wirtz’s role from his Alonso days at Leverkusen better than Güler.
Wirtz made 119 appearances for Alonso and therefore leaves big shoes to fill, but Güler can replicate the tactical flexibility that the German gave Alonso. Thus, we can see him become a regular part of the Real Madrid team next season.
Without a single euro in transfer fees, Alonso may have found his new creative brain – right under the noses of the whole of Europe.
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