‘Not here to play youngsters’ – Carlo Ancelotti explains Arda Güler substitution vs Cádiz | OneFootball

Real Madrid head coach Carlo Ancelotti has this evening turned heads across the Spanish football landscape.

As much comes owing to his comments in the aftermath of Real’s La Liga meeting with Cádiz.

Los Blancos are of course fresh off a dominant victory, goals on the part of all of Brahim Díaz, Jude Bellingham and Joselu ensuring that, if Barcelona fail to get the better of Girona tonight, Ancelotti’s troops will be crowned Spanish champions.

Playing his part in as much on Saturday, meanwhile, was Arda Güler, who impressed on his first-ever start at the Santiago Bernabéu.

Midway through the 2nd-half in Madrid, though, the Turk was hooked, replaced by Pichichi-chasing Jude Bellingham.

As much left some of a Real persuasion frustrated, eager to see summer signing Güler afforded as much game-time as possible over the season’s final weeks.

Speaking to the media on the back of the the full-time whistle at the Bernabéu, it therefore came as little surprise when the subject of Güler’s withdrawal was put to Carlo Ancelotti himself.

And the Italian was defiant in his response, adamant that it was the right call to ensure his side their best shot at victory, with his job not to ‘bring in young players’.

“Arda Güler played the role he had to play, because he’s very young. I replaced him because he got tired and I wanted to have fresh legs to win the game. That’s what they asked of me at Real Madrid when they signed me, not to bring in young players.”

Conor Laird | GSFN