No more Bellingham vs Guler dilemma: Jose Mourinho finds a solution to fit Real Madrid duo together | OneFootball

For much of the summer, the question surrounding Jude Bellingham and Arda Guler appeared quite simple: could both players fit into the same Real Madrid starting XI?

As such, Jose Mourinho’s first La Liga line-up may have provided the answer.

Bellingham and Guler started together against Espanyol, and Real Madrid’s opening goal offered a small but telling glimpse of how the Portuguese manager sees the pair. 

Guler delivered the free-kick, Bellingham attacked the space and finished the move.

Now, according to Defensa Central, Mourinho has reached a conclusion about the roles of the two players. 

Mourinho’s Espanyol selection was a statement

As per the outlet, Bellingham is seen as the attacking midfielder, but Guler is not expected to become a substitute because of that decision. 

Guler assisted Bellingham’s opener vs Espanyol. (Photo by Alex Caparros/Getty Images)

Instead, the Turkish star could operate from the right or move into central areas depending on how the game develops.

Simply put, Mourinho does not appear to see a Bellingham-or-Guler problem. He sees a way to use both.

With Bellingham and Guler both included from the start, many expected one to be asked to sacrifice his natural game. However, that did not happen.

Bellingham was given the freedom to play as Real Madrid’s most advanced midfielder, moving between the lines and getting into the penalty area whenever opportunities opened up. 

Guler, on the other hand, began on the right, but his role was far from that of a traditional winger. He regularly moved inside, looking for the ball and helping Madrid build attacks through the middle.

Guler could be a key part of Mourinho’s plans

Mourinho found a way to accommodate Guler and Bellingham together. (Photo by Alex Caparros/Getty Images)

Against Espanyol, Guler continued to show why he is highly valued within the Real Madrid squad, even though he was replaced in the 64th minute. 

Interestingly, Mourinho believes Guler can play both on the right and through the middle, a flexibility that is crucial to the manager’s thinking.

Rather than being fixed to one position, Guler can offer Real Madrid another player capable of controlling possession and creating chances between the lines. 

From the right, he can drift inside and combine with Bellingham, while in central areas, he can help Madrid maintain control when games become stretched.

Hence, the immediate result is that Bellingham’s role as an attacking midfielder does not automatically close the door on Guler.