Real Madrid midfielder Arda Guler is emerging as one of Europe’s most productive creative players after his positional transformation under Jose Mourinho.
The Turkey international has performed exceedingly well since the start of the campaign, both as a right-winger and a deep-lying midfielder.
According to Cadena SER, Guler averages 5.26 passes leading to a shot per game, the highest figure in Europe.
His improvement under Mourinho is also reflected in his set-piece creativity and dribbling numbers.
Guler’s attacking numbers improve significantly under Mourinho
The 21-year-old has become an increasingly important creative force for Real Madrid through his passing ability and tendency to deliver dangerous balls into the penalty area.
His set-piece statistics reveal a particularly striking improvement.
Arda Guler has impressed under Jose Mourinho. (Photo by Florencia Tan Jun/Getty Images)
Under former coach Xabi Alonso, Guler averaged 0.83 chances created from set pieces per game.
That figure has increased to 2.54 under Mourinho, representing more than a threefold rise. His completed dribbles per game have also increased.
The increase from 1.05 per game under Alonso to 1.75 under the Portuguese manager showcases Guler’s growing influence at Real Madrid.
Rather than relying exclusively on his passing vision, he is increasingly capable of progressing possession himself and creating opportunities from dead-ball situations.
Jose Mourinho is getting more from Real Madrid’s creative talent
Guler’s development is particularly encouraging because Real Madrid have sometimes struggled to maintain consistent creativity in midfield.
His technical ability gives Mourinho a player capable of unlocking compact defensive structures without depending entirely on individual brilliance from the forwards.
Arda Guler has improved his delivery from corner situations. (Photo by Angel Martinez/Getty Images)
The improvement in set-piece production could also prove valuable in tightly contested matches, where a single accurate delivery can decide the outcome.
With the likes of Dean Huijsen, Ibrahima Konate, Antonio Rudiger and Carlos Espi in the box, Real Madrid also have the aerial threats to convert from corner situations.
With El Clasico approaching, his ability to control the game and create opportunities could be massive against Barcelona’s potent attacking structure.
Real Madrid need players who can combine possession control with decisive actions in the final third, and Guler increasingly appears capable of providing both.
It remains to be seen how the Turkey international fares for Real Madrid in the important game against Barcelona.