Arda Güler commentary from the Spanish press: Mourinho's choices evaluated as 'ego management'

Arda Güler being frequently substituted despite his performance during matches at Real Madrid has become a subject of debate in the Spanish press. In an analysis written following Real Madrid's defeat against Real Betis, Mundo Deportivo writer Xavier Bosch criticized head coach Jose Mourinho's choices with harsh language.

According to Bosch, Mourinho's early substitution of Arda Güler is not a decision that can be explained solely by technical reasons. The Spanish journalist argued that these choices are linked to the balance of stars in the locker room, player hierarchy, and ego management.

ATTENTION DRAWN TO ARDA GÜLER'S ROLE

The analysis emphasized that Arda Güler was one of the players who determined the direction of the game in the Real Betis match. Criticizing Mourinho's first intervention coming through the national player again while the score was 0-0, Bosch commented that stars like Mbappe and Vinicius Junior are seen as "untouchable."

''When the scoreboard was 0-0, Mourinho felt the need to intervene. Because Mbappe and Vinicius Junior are untouchable, the bill was once again footed by Arda Güler.''

The article stated that after Arda Güler left the pitch, Real Madrid lost its tactical intelligence; despite Diomande being brought into the game, the team could not recover. Bosch drew attention to the consequences of the substitution choice through Betis's goal, the penalty missed by Mbappe, and the resulting defeat.

It was suggested that a similar scenario occurred in the Espanyol match at the beginning of the season. It was recalled that Arda Güler, who was shown as one of the most effective players on the pitch in the match that was tied 1-1, was again the first name to be taken off.

Bosch claimed that Mourinho prioritizes not upsetting Mbappe and Vinicius over performance criteria on the pitch, and also tries to support his transfer decision by bringing Diomande into the game. The article also included the comment that Arda Güler's calm and non-confrontational nature makes these decisions easier.

The Spanish journalist argued that Arda Güler being constantly substituted early, regardless of his performance, could turn into a new topic of debate within Real Madrid in the long run.