Real Madrid manager Carlo Ancelotti has dismissed reports that promising forward Arda Guler will leave on loan this summer following the player’s fine outing in a 1-0 win over Real Sociedad.
Earlier on Friday (April 26), Los Blancos extended their lead atop the La Liga table to 14 points with a vital win at Anoeta Stadium. Guler scored the decisive goal with his team’s first effort in the 29th minute, guiding Dani Carvajal’s clever cutback into the back of the net.
After the end of the contest, Ancelotti was queried to shed light on Guler’s future at Real Madrid amid transfer rumors. He replied (h/t ESPN):
“Arda will be a very important player for us in the future. There’s no doubt that he stays here next year.”
Showering praise on the 19-year-old prodigy, the Italian concluded:
“He has extraordinary quality. He has talent, he has a gift. He’s worked hard… he’s training very well, but he’s very young. Little by little, he’ll be more involved in this squad. He’s scored the most goals per minutes played, that’s the gift he has.”
Guler, who rejected Barcelona to join Real Madrid for €20 million last summer, has endured a difficult time at the Santiago Bernabeu club this season. He sustained a meniscus injury in pre-season before picking up two muscle injuries, which proved to be major hurdles.
However, the Fenerbahce academy product has played in eight overall outings for Real Madrid since the turn of the year. He has bagged two goals for his club in the La Liga so far, featuring in just 99 minutes.
Carlo Ancelotti hails Real Madrid stars after eking out league triumph at Real Sociedad
Speaking at a post-match press conference, Carlo Ancelotti lauded his players for maintaining professionalism during their recent La Liga trip to Real Sociedad. The 64-year-old said (h/t Managing Madrid):
“I understand that people thought we were coming [to Anoeta] for a stroll, but the players didn’t. I’m very proud of them, for their performance, commitment, attitude, desire, and enthusiasm to keep winning. They wanted to maintain the good dynamic and I want to thank them for that. In this sense, they were spectacular.”
Real Madrid, who are currently on 84 points from 33 La Liga outings, relished 44% possession at Anoeta. They registered five shots compared to the hosts’ nine and completed 347 passes with 82% accuracy.
Los Blancos will next face Bayern Munich in their UEFA Champions League semi-final first leg clash at Allianz Arena on Tuesday (April 30).
