Portuguese coach sees Arda Güler as Modric’s successor at Real Madrid
Portuguese coach praises Turkish talent’s rise, recalls early days at Fenerbahçe
Turkish midfielder Arda Güler has received strong praise from Vítor Pereira, the coach who first promoted him to professional football. In an interview with Marca, the Portuguese manager said he believes the Real Madrid youngster is the ideal successor to Luka Modrić, who is set to leave the Spanish club after the FIFA Club World Cup.
“He Sees the Game Like Modrić”
Vítor Pereira highlighted Güler’s advanced football IQ, positional flexibility, and creative potential:
“I see him as an 8 or 10, because he understands the game, controls the rhythm, and has the final pass,” Pereira said.
“He plays short and long, shoots from distance, and always looks for the solution.”
Pereira, who coached Güler during his time at Fenerbahçe, sees a direct comparison with Modrić in terms of tactical intelligence and mentality. He also praised Güler’s composure and work ethic, even at a young age.
Flashback: “A Boy Among Men”
The coach recalled discovering Güler at just 16 years old during his stint at Fenerbahçe.
“He was a boy among men, but with every touch, he showed he was special. Even when he made a mistake, he wanted the ball again,” said Pereira.
The midfielder’s dedication stood out even then Pereira noted that Arda used to stay after training to practice shooting with both feet. That discipline helped him break into the starting eleven, eventually leading to his €20 million transfer to Real Madrid in July 2023.
Güler Shines at Club World Cup
Although his minutes at Madrid were limited early on, Arda Güler is beginning to make his mark under coach Xabi Alonso. He scored a goal in the recent 3-1 win over Pachuca, further solidifying his place in the squad.
Pereira sees that as only the beginning:
“Joining a club like Real Madrid is not easy, especially with so much competition. But he has the mentality and the talent,” said the coach.“He reminds me of James Rodríguez at 19. They live for football and want to improve constantly.”
