Emre Belözoğlu: Arda Güler Has Become One of Real Madrid’s Key Players
Kasımpaşa manager Emre Belözoğlu believes Arda Güler has established himself as an important figure at Real Madrid. Speaking on the “Yüz Yüze” programme hosted by Engin Kehale, the former Fenerbahçe sporting director reflected on the midfielder’s early promise, his progress and the work still ahead of him.
Belözoğlu first watched Güler during the youngster’s time in Fenerbahçe’s academy. He recalled seeing him for just 45 minutes before concluding that he was ready to step up to the senior team. That brief viewing, he said, was enough to reveal a player with unusual intelligence and a serious approach to his profession.
The coach described Güler as someone who places football at the centre of his life and is strongly driven by performance. In Belözoğlu’s view, the midfielder’s awareness is evident both on the pitch and away from it-a combination that has helped him adapt to demanding surroundings at an early age.
Despite the progress Güler has made, Belözoğlu stressed that his development is far from complete. The young playmaker still has plenty of room to grow, he said, and must learn to assess his own performances with the critical eye of a coach. The right manager or experienced teammate can help him identify where small adjustments would make a difference.
Belözoğlu also pointed to Güler’s growing influence for both the Turkish national team and Real Madrid. He believes play increasingly flows through the midfielder: wherever the ball is, Güler is often involved. That central role reflects the trust placed in him, as well as his ability to shape attacking moves.
The former Turkey international suggested that Güler may still have qualities he has not fully brought to the surface-even in his own estimation. Finding the right way to unlock those strengths could take his game to another level. For now, however, Belözoğlu considers the midfielder’s performances more than convincing.
At Real Madrid, Güler has recently become one of the team’s key players, according to Belözoğlu. The coach said the young Turk’s situation is going very well and advised him not to walk away from the Spanish club. He had previously told Güler that remaining at one of the world’s biggest teams was the right course.
Belözoğlu’s message was not that Güler should be satisfied with his current standing. Rather, the opportunity at Madrid should provide a platform for continued improvement. The next step, he said, is to build on what he has achieved and keep raising his level mentally and physically.
That challenge is particularly important for a player carrying expectations at club and international level. Regular involvement and greater responsibility can bring fresh demands, making consistency and resilience essential. Continued progress will depend not only on technical ability, but also on how Güler prepares, responds to setbacks and manages the pressure that comes with a prominent role.
Belözoğlu’s assessment combines confidence in the midfielder’s talent with a reminder that potential alone is not enough. Güler has already made a strong impression, from his early days in Fenerbahçe’s academy to his rise at Real Madrid. In the coach’s view, the best may still be ahead-provided he keeps developing rather than treating his current success as a finished achievement.