'Fantastic potential': Jose Mourinho full of praise for Arda Guler

[p]The Turkish midfielder came on as a substitute [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/game/soccer/rayo-vallecano-8bcjFy6O/real-madrid-W8mj7MDD/?mid=r37Zj4oI"]in Madrid's 4-1 win over Rayo Vallecano on Saturday[/a] and helped steady the team when they were wobbling under pressure.[/p][p][a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/player/guler-arda/CUU9qDpb/"]Guler[/a] is not assured of a starting place at [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/real-madrid/W8mj7MDD/"]Madrid[/a], with [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/player/mbappe-kylian/Wn6E2SED/"]Kylian Mbappe[/a], [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/player/vinicius-junior/CbwQ4Mws/"]Vinicius Junior[/a] and [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/player/bellingham-jude/QNvlPm7s/"]Jude Bellingham[/a] all part of Mourinho's regular side.[/p][p]The 21-year-old is competing with record signing [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/player/diomande-yan/0p2ORrJi/"]Yan Diomande[/a] and [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/player/diaz-brahim/nm2Qvnyk/"]Brahim Diaz[/a] among others for minutes, ahead of the central midfield duo.[/p][p][b]"There are people more qualified than me to talk about his development, people who have been here since he arrived, about how he's transformed physically,"[/b] Mourinho told reporters.[/p][p][b]"But for me, his quality of play is incredible - his vision, his decision-making, his playmaking, the stability he brings to the team, his creativity...[/b][/p][p][b]"For me, he's a player with fantastic potential who already has some very impressive stats."[/b][/p][image alt="Arda Guler's LaLiga stats this season" id="7a0e13e6-8f85-46a2-bcc7-9626edae890d" credit-line="Flashscore" guid="1bf2de42-3e92-409b-8c86-61b0bf706f1a" original-width="2160" original-height="2700" /][p]Guler has shown he has a strong link with Mbappe on the pitch, regularly combining well with the French forward, including for Madrid's fourth goal against Rayo.[/p][p]Mourinho said he would not go completely overboard with praise for Guler, who arrived from [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/fenerbahce/MsbmracL/"]Fenerbahce[/a] in 2023.[/p][p][b]"Maybe I don't want to go so far as to say 'top, top, top' three times, but I can definitely say 'top, top'," [/b]joked the Portuguese coach.[/p][p]One player still looking for his best form at Madrid is Vinicius.[/p][p]The Brazilian winger has scored one goal this season and Mourinho reiterated his view that Vinicius is still not at his best.[/p][p][b]"The best version of him is scoring goals. Obviously, assisting is important, working for the team is very important. Commitment, solidarity, and teamwork are very important,"[/b] said Mourinho.[/p][p][b]"But there's another Vinicius, the Vinicius who arrived in Lisbon last season (in the Champions League) and in close matches, in the knockout rounds, gets one chance, scores a goal and that's it.[/b][/p][p][b]"He's lacking that top-level performance lately, but I am happy with him."[/b][/p][p]Second-placed Madrid trail La Liga leaders [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/barcelona/SKbpVP5K/"]Barcelona[/a], who boast a 100 per cent record, by three points.[/p][infobox id="3758a48f-fadf-446f-811f-5a7fe003822a" /]