Real Madrid’s young talents continue to make their mark despite limited playing time. While duo Endrick Felipe and Arda Guler remain committed to the club, patiently waiting for more opportunities, 17-year-old defender Jesús Fortea has been handed a permanent place in the senior squad. Though Fortea’s senior debut isn’t immediate, he may earn minutes off the bench in the coming weeks as the coaching staff look to manage the squad.
Real Madrid Duo Stay Loyal Despite Limited Playtime
Real Madrid is known for signing some of the world’s top young talent, and with Endrick Felipe and Arda Guler, they have two of the most promising players. However, their integration into the first team has been slower than expected, with both players seeing limited minutes so far this season.
Endrick appeared to be making progress in Real Madrid’s lineup, boasting a goal every 54 minutes across 7 appearances. However, he has not played in the last four matches and has been left on the bench. While there has been speculation about a potential loan move in January for more playing time, Diario AS reports that he remains focused on his development at the club.
Similarly, Guler is in a comparable position. After a standout performance at Euro 2024, many anticipated that Turkish talent would make a big impact this season. However, he has struggled for playing time, accumulating only 292 minutes so far. Guler hasn’t started since September and has played just 12 minutes in Real Madrid’s last five matches.
Particularly with Guler, there have been calls for greater involvement due to Real Madrid’s creative challenges. However, The Athletic reports that Guler is patiently biding his time and has no plans to demand more minutes. The outlet also highlights that the competition in the forward and midfield positions makes it tough for him to secure a spot, noting that a frontline of Kylian Mbappe, Vinicius Junior, and Guler could disrupt the team’s balance.
The two teenagers have demonstrated flashes of their potential, but perhaps more important than their individual skills is the challenging fixture list. Following their loss to Lille, Real Madrid has faced tough opponents like Villarreal, Celta Vigo away, Borussia Dortmund, and Barcelona—each presenting a difficult and closely contested match. Given Carlo Ancelotti’s lack of rotation, it’s no surprise they haven’t played as much.
Real Madrid Youngster Given Permanent First-Team Spot
The coaching team at Real Madrid has decided to give young defender Jesús Fortea a permanent spot in the senior squad.
According to Marca, they have offered a glimpse into the latest developments behind the scenes in the Spanish capital this week.
Fortea, a 17-year-old defender, primarily plays as a right-back.
The Spaniard has been viewed as a promising talent in Madrid for some time, with his skills on both ends of the field helping him rise as a key player in the club’s U19 squad.
The Spaniard has been seen as a rising star in Madrid, with his abilities on both defense and attack making him a standout in the club’s U19 team.
This led to his recent inclusion in first-team training at Valdebebas.
If the latest reports are to be believed, Fortea has clearly shown enough to convince Real’s coaching staff of his abilities.
According to a report by Marca:
‘The decision is now firm: Fortea will not return to the U19 team and will become a first-team player.’
While the youngster’s senior debut isn’t expected to happen immediately, Fortea may be given minutes off the bench when Lucas Vázquez needs a break in the coming weeks.
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