Report: 21-year-old Real Madrid starlet emerging as possible answer to fill Kroos and Modric void

For much of their glory years in the last decade, everyone knew the identity of Real Madrid’s midfield and what each player’s role was.

Toni Kroos, Luka Modric and Casemiro were fixtures in midfield, with the former two taking care of control and playmaking and the latter acting as the destroyer.

Since the departures of Kroos and Modric, Madrid have spent years wondering how they could replace the control and creativity once provided by the duo.

Belatedly, Jose Mourinho seems to have found the solution in the form of Arda Guler.

According to The Athletic, Guler’s growing ability to control matches and create attacks is being viewed as a possible solution to the creative void left by the two legendary midfielders.

Arda Guler has been brilliant for Real Madrid so far. (Photo by Angel Martinez/Getty Images)

Mourinho is experimenting with the Turkey international in several areas as he searches for the role that maximises his qualities.

Mourinho is moving Guler around

Guler has been used deeper in midfield, from the right and as a No. 10, with his definitive position still being determined.

That experimentation makes sense and was hinted at by the Portuguese tactician even before the season actually began.

Guler’s greatest strength is increasingly looking like his influence on the entire attack rather than simply what he produces close to goal.

He wants the ball, sees progressive passes early and can connect midfield with Madrid’s dangerous forwards.

Playing deeper gives him more opportunities to dictate possession. Moving him higher allows his final pass and shooting ability to become more dangerous.

Madrid need a controller desperately

Replacing Kroos and Modric was never going to mean finding players who perfectly replicate them.

Guler is creating his own identity at Real Madrid. (Photo by Angel Martinez/Getty Images)

What Madrid lost was their ability to dictate the rhythm of difficult matches. Both could receive under pressure, decide when to accelerate an attack and give the team structure through possession.

For two or three seasons since their exits, Madrid had no profiles in midfield who could add that balance, even to a limited extent.

Guler is showing signs of offering some of those qualities while also having other traits of his own. The next stage is proving he can become the player Madrid consistently trust in big games.

The Turk could develop into a versatile player

Maybe the best way to use Guler is not to consign him to one particular position and instead use his abilities on a game-by-game basis.

Against deeper opponents, Mourinho can position him closer to the penalty area. In matches where Madrid need greater control, dropping Guler into midfield could give him more influence over possession.

Nobody is expecting Guler to become the next Modric or the next Kroos. However, he, in his own way, could develop into a reference for future generations.

The 2026-27 season seems like the year when Guler grows up at Madrid. It remains to be seen whether he can sustain this start through the course of the campaign.