Real Madrid legend Guti talks Arbeloa, Guler, Valverde, Champions League ambition: ‘Steering it in the right direction’ | OneFootball

Former Real Madrid midfielder Guti has offered a revealing take on the club’s current direction, touching on everything from youth development to dressing room dynamics.

At the heart of his analysis is Real Madrid’s focus on developing talent from within. 

Guti pointed to the emergence of Thiago Pitarch as a clear example of how the club is once again leaning on La Fabrica to strengthen the first team.

He admitted that relying less on academy players in the past had its drawbacks, saying, “It was a disadvantage not to have homegrown players.”

Arbeloa’s leadership under the spotlight

Guti also turned his attention to Alvaro Arbeloa, praising his handling of a high-pressure environment at the club. 

The former midfielder stressed that keeping harmony in the dressing room will be key, especially with world-class players sharing the same space. 

Reflecting on the challenges Arbeloa faces, Guti explained, “When you join a team mid-season, with difficulties and injuries, it’s always a poisoned chalice. 

“But he’s steering it in the right direction for now, and that’s what all Madrid fans hope for: that Madrid wins titles and that Arbeloa can stay.”

Another player Guti spoke about in detail was Arda Guler, a talent he feels personally connected to.

Guti has backed Alvaro Arbeloa. (Photo by Florencia Tan Jun/Getty Images)

Drawing parallels between their journeys, he said, “We’ve led parallel lives, just in different eras.” 

Valverde earns special praise

Guti also reflected on the development of Federico Valverde, a player he once worked closely with.

He highlighted the midfielder’s transformation from a shy youngster into a key figure in the squad, recalling, 

“He was shy, he had a hard time fitting in, and I always told him, ‘You can give so much more, because you have what it takes.’ And now he’s really come into his own.”

Champions League claim with warning attached

Meanwhile, after Real Madrid’s dominant 3-0 win over Manchester City, Guti did not hide his excitement.

“This sounds familiar… Madrid is going to win the Champions League.”

However, he also laid out the difficult path ahead. Looking at potential opponents, he added, 

“It’s not just the quarterfinals against Bayern Munich; after that, we could face a very tough semifinal against Liverpool or PSG. It’s a demanding Champions League,” he concluded.

Source: SPORT