While Real Madrid endured their first defeat of the season in the Madrid derby on Sunday, excitement had been building among supporters ahead of their upcoming bout with Las Palmas.
Wednesday’s clash isn’t a particularly special occasion, Las Palmas are visiting having secured their first win of the campaign at the weekend, but young Arda Guler was expected to make his Real Madrid bow after at last being declared available by Carlo Ancelotti.
The Turkish playmaker signed for the club in the summer having quickly emerged as one of the continent’s most exciting prospects. Guler’s rise was swift, with both Barcelona and Real Madrid keen to acquire him after he broke through at Fenerbahce and starred with Turkey’s national team.
A move to Catalonia once appeared close before Guler opted against joining Barca in favour of their Clasico rivals. As a result, the youngster immediately got into the good books of Madridistas. However, they’ve so far been left frustrated by Guler’s inability to get onto the pitch.
Despite his youth, Guler was (and still is) expected to play at least a bit-part role for Carlo Ancelotti’s transitioning side this season. While he’ll find it hard to displace Jude Bellingham in the attacking midfield behind the strikers, Guler’s talent will allow him to rotate with the Englishman when needed.
However, the 18-year-old underwent surgery after sustaining a knee injury in pre-season which means he’s yet to make his debut for the club.
After missing Madrid’s opening six La Liga games, hope emerged regarding Guler’s status ahead of Wednesday’s game with Las Palmas after the Turkish international returned to training.
Such optimism was fleeting, though, as Guler suffered another injury setback during the latter stages of Tuesday’s training session. Madrid have since confirmed that the teenager has picked up a thigh injury: “After the tests carried out on our player Arda Guler by the Real Madrid medical services, he has been diagnosed with an injury to the left rectus femoris muscle. His progress will be monitored.”
As a result, Guler is set to be sidelined for another three weeks, which will take us up to the October international break. He is expected to miss Madrid’s next three La Liga encounters, as well as their Champions League duel with Napoli. Should he avoid another setback, his long-awaited debut might arrive after the break on 22 October against Sevilla.
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