Arda Güler: The Wonderkid of Fenerbahçe
Arda Güler, an extraordinary talent born on February 25, 2005, began his professional football journey at just 16. He first played for Genclerbirligi Ankara's youth team before moving to Fenerbahçe's youth setup in 2019. This transition paved the way for his swift progression through the ranks.
A versatile midfielder, Güler, who is a left-footed number ten and typically drifts in from out wide, skillfully uses his abilities to function both in the central area and out wide. He often dominates the right flank, showcasing his skills on the international stage. His debut in a Europa League qualifying match against HJK Helsinki in August 2021 marked the start of a noteworthy 2021-2022 season. Although he only played for a total of 292 minutes across 12 matches, his impact was substantial, scoring three goals and providing three assists. This translates to a striking tally of 1.85 goals and assists combined every 90 minutes he's on the pitch.
As the 2022-2023 campaign kicked off, Güler exhibited no indications of slowing down. Over 32 appearances across all competitions, amassing 905 minutes on the pitch, his goal contributions remained effective with 6 goals and 6 assists, highlighting his importance to Fenerbahçe's attacking exploits.
Güler, primarily serving as an attacking midfielder but occasionally playing in the role of a right winger, marked his presence in 20 games during the 2022-2023 Süper Lig season. In these fixtures, he proved instrumental, netting 4 goals and providing 3 assists. His reliable showings not only demonstrated his value to Fenerbahçe but also cemented his status as a rising star in the game. This 18-year-old has unsurprisingly attracted strong interest from top European clubs Real Madrid, Barcelona, AC Milan and more.
Despite facing some criticism for his decision-making and tendency to go down easily, Güler's technical ability and proficiency with his left foot have drawn comparisons to some of the world's best. Following his international debut on November 19, 2022, in a friendly against the Czech Republic, he earned 4 more caps for his nation and scored once.
Displaying creativity and prowess in both dribbling and passing, Güler is a common sight in front of the goal. His 57.9 attempted passes per 90 minutes with an 84.9% success rate underline his contribution to maintaining team possession. Güler's creative edge is proven with 3.98 opportunities created every 90 minutes, and his aptitude for crossing is demonstrated with 2.09 attempted crosses per 90 minutes, of which 33.3% find their mark. On the pitch, he proves himself a determined presence, engaging in 19.6 duels per 90 minutes and coming out on top in 53.3% of them. With 7.47 attempted dribbles per 90 minutes and a success rate of 53.3%, Güler's dribbling ability is quite apparent. His efforts in aerial duels are also worth noting, attempting 2.39 per 90 minutes and succeeding in half of them. Güler's ongoing development suggests that it won't be long before he graces one of the top five leagues in Europe. His adept technical skills, broad versatility, and significant impact on scoring position him as an attractive asset for any team. If his professional trajectory keeps advancing as it is currently, the prospect of him representing Turkey in high-stakes international tournaments such as the World Cup or European Championships may very soon become a reality.
Manchester United, a club renowned for nurturing promising young talents, could find an ideal recruit in Güler. His blend of technical skill, instinctive goal-scoring, and flexibility make him a perfect contender for development into a world-class attacker under United's tutelage. His capacity to assume multiple positions across the front line could offer the team a broader range of attacking options. Despite being only 18, Güler's high potential and innate talent make him a desirable prospect for Manchester United. From a Fenerbahçe standpoint, letting go of Güler could help them financially. The club remains heavily indebted, much like the other major clubs in the Turkish capital, Istanbul: Galatasaray and Besiktas. It is thought that they may find it beneficial to cash in on Güler's €17.5 million ($19 million) release clause.