Advice for Arda Güler from Samu Saiz, a product of the Real Madrid youth academy

Samu Saiz, who played for Huesca, Getafe, Girona, and England's Leeds United during his professional career, transferred to Sivasspor during the 2022-2023 mid-season break.

The 34-year-old midfielder, who spent one year with the red-and-white team, joined Eyüpspor during last season's winter transfer window. Saiz, who achieved promotion to the Trendyol Süper Lig with the Istanbul representative, made Pendikspor his third stop in Turkey in February 2025.

Samu Saiz answered questions from an AA reporter regarding national player Arda Güler, who plays for Real Madrid, the evolution of the number 10 position, Turkish football, his career in Turkey, his time under manager Marcelo Bielsa at Leeds United, and life in Istanbul.

Sharing his thoughts on Arda Güler's struggle to find playing time at Real Madrid this season, Saiz said, "Arda has incredible talent and is a fantastic player. He transferred to the biggest club in the world, which is not an easy situation. There are many talented players like him at Real Madrid. He is still very young. He will carve out a very important place for himself in Turkish football and will be a player whose name is mentioned for many years to come. For me, it is challenging when I don't play. If I were in Arda's place, I would play for another club. Real Madrid would then see that I am good enough and call me back stronger. That is how I would continue to fight."

"PLAYER SELECTIONS FOR THE NUMBER 10 POSITION ARE DAMAGING FOOTBALL"

Samu Saiz stated that in the past, more talent was sought in player selections for the number 10 position, but today, power and physicality have come to the forefront, which he believes has negative effects on football.

Emphasizing that the perspective on players wearing the number 10 jersey has changed, Saiz shared the following views:

'In the past, football was played in a way where number 10s had more influence on the game. Now, number 10s are not viewed that way. They are in a position of a player in front of a three-man midfield. In this sense, they have lost some of their effectiveness. There are two strong midfielders behind them. They are just a third midfielder helping them. Currently, managers prefer number 10s who know how to position themselves, help the midfield, and where power is prioritized. I find this boring. We used to watch number 10s based on talent. Players in the number 10 position were more effective. Now, power has overtaken talent. This is boring and harmful to modern football. We see teams like Czechia, Slovenia, and Slovakia competing with teams like France and England. We are now watching football based on power and running, focused only on winning. I don't think this is football. We have moved away from the essence of the game.'

'I BELIEVE TURKISH FOOTBALL WILL REACH VERY DIFFERENT LEVELS IN A FEW YEARS'

Speaking with praise for the football played in Turkey and for Turkish players, Samu Saiz noted the following:

'There is a developing style of football in Turkey. The Turkish National Team also did a very good job at the European Championship. There are very good young players. However, there needs to be more professionalism at both the team and player levels. Names like Jose Mourinho and Alvaro Morata are here. These are good signs. If it continues like this, I think Turkish football will reach very different levels in a few years. I believe that by paying attention to very small details, Turkish players can elevate themselves to very high levels both physically and in terms of football. If they pay attention to a few small details such as sleep, nutrition, training discipline, weight training, and diets, I think they will make a huge difference. Clubs in Turkey have very good facilities and the conditions are good. These opportunities need to be utilized well. I think that when they fulfill these small details, different things will happen for Turkish players.'