Carlo Ancelotti has insisted he does not need to provide Arda Guler with an explanation for his lack of minutes at Real Madrid.
Guler arrived at Madrid last summer to real fanfare but, after battling back from knee surgery, has been afforded just 25 minutes in La Liga since making his return in January.
It seemed as though the 19-year-old was due to come off the bench during this weekend’s victory over Sevilla but, after Luka Modric opened the scoring in the 81st minute, Guler was sent back to the bench as Ancelotti opted to call on Dani Ceballos instead.
Asked why Guler was once again denied the chance to impress, Ancelotti insisted he had his reasons and refused to elaborate.
“I had one thought before Modric’s goal and after the goal I changed my mind. It’s not that complicated and I don’t have to explain this,” he said. “And if he doesn’t understand it, it doesn’t matter.”
Ancelotti’s use of Guler has proved somewhat controversial this season and even drew frustration from the teenager himself. Against Almeria in January, Guler was spotted throwing his bib to the ground in anger when it became clear he was not going to play.
Talk of a rift between the two has consistently been played down, however, with Ancelotti urging Guler to be patient after missing the first half of Madrid’s season with a knee injury.
“That Arda Guler does not play is a question of competition with others,” Ancelotti said before the Sevilla game. “I choose the 11 that play and some have a hard time getting in because they have lost a lot of time due to injuries.
“[Guler] is very young and has to be patient. Obviously, he now has the level to start games.”
