Coach Xabi Alonso is Turning Arda Güler into the Next Andrea Pirlo
Arda Güler is enjoying a fresh start in his third season at Real Madrid. After a debut year plagued by injuries and a second season spent on the sidelines, the 20-year-old has finally found a path into the starting lineup—playing in a role once made famous by Andrea Pirlo.
And that new beginning has come under the guidance of coach Xabi Alonso.
It’s Alonso, the Basque tactician, who’s sparked a major turning point in Güler’s career. As he begins to implement his fresh ideas at the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup, the young Turkish star has surprisingly emerged as a key figure—though in an unfamiliar role: a deep-lying playmaker.
Originally, Güler was seen by Real Madrid as a quality long-term investment for their attacking line. But now, instead of fighting a losing battle for playing time against the likes of Kylian Mbappé, Vinicius Jr., Rodrygo, Jude Bellingham, and Brahim Diaz, the 20-year-old has been “tailor-fit” for a new position. He’s been pulled deeper, sitting just in front of a back three, where he not only initiates attacks but also contributes defensively.
It’s the same role that built Andrea Pirlo’s legendary status. And Alonso sees in Güler the same traits that defined the Italian maestro at AC Milan and with the national team—superb vision, exceptional close control, calm under pressure, and an uncanny ability to spot spaces between the lines.
From what’s been shown at the Club World Cup, Alonso has reason to be pleased. He’s impressed not just by Güler’s footballing ability, but also by his professionalism and maturity. The young Turk’s rapid adaptation and growth could well earn him a permanent spot in the lineup next season.
If he masters this deep-lying playmaker role, Güler might even become a cornerstone of Real Madrid’s system. Poetically speaking, the 20-year-old may be stepping back a few yards on the pitch—but it could be a giant leap forward in his still-budding career.