Two Real Madrid Youngsters Under the Microscope Amid Poor Run

Real Madrid youngsters Arda Guler and Franco Mastantuono are facing increasing scrutiny amid the team’s disastrous run. 

The biggest blow came on Wednesday night as Real Madrid suffered a brutal 3-2 defeat to Albacete in the Copa del Rey Round of 16.

Alvaro Arbeloa made unwanted Real Madrid history as the Whites lost two crucial cup matches in four days.

Arda Guler Nowhere Close to Being the Next Luka Modric

Real Madrid paid €26 million to sign Arda Guler from Fenerbahce in the summer of 2023. The Turkish was tipped to be Luka Modric’s successor – become the metronome of Real Madrid’s midfield.

Guler struggled for minutes under Carlo Ancelotti, but Xabi Alonso gave him consistent minutes in important matches.

He had a strong start, registering three goals and five assists in his first 11 LaLiga outings. However, his form dipped soon after, with him registering just one assist in eight league matches since.

Arda was the only one who made a post about Xabi Alonso’s departure (not just a story).

One of Alonso’s assistants posted it on his story. pic.twitter.com/3TXOpeBBUC

— Arda Güler (fan) (@iHQGuler) January 13, 2026

Against Albacete, Guler was the least accurate Real Madrid midfielder on the pitch, completing 65 passes with 87% accuracy. He created five chances, more than any of his teammates, but was not effective under pressure.

Guler has struggled with consistency, leading to the belief that he is not ready to take on the Modric role.

Franco Mastantuono’s Development Worries Real Madrid

According to Diario AS, Real Madrid are a lot more concerned with Franco Mastantuono, a player they paid €45 million for last summer.

The Argentine won Madrid over with his performances for River Plate, and the club expected him to hit the ground running. Like Guler, the 18-year-old also had a bright start under Xabi Alonso, boldly taking defenders on and working tirelessly from start to finish.

The aggression has gone for a toss since his groin injury. Since returning, he has looked like a shadow of his former self, hesitating to dribble and to be in the thick of things. Across the last 15 games, he has only played 172 minutes, showcasing his dwindling importance.

Mastantuono: “Playing with Messi was the dream of my life”.

“Today being able to play with him here, on River’s field, is something incredible. As I’ve always said, he’s been my idol since I was a kid”. pic.twitter.com/qBKiEFDZEM

— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) September 5, 2025

Mastantuono was on the scoresheet in the 3-2 defeat against Albacete in the Copa del Rey Round of 16. While he took his goal well, his overall performance left a lot to be desired.

There is speculation that Real Madrid regret paying so much for a talent untested in Europe. If the situation does not improve in the coming weeks, Mastantuono could be loaned out to a smaller club to gain experience.

Alvaro Arbeloa is likely to focus on youth development during his time in Madrid, and it will be interesting to see if Guler and Mastantuono can benefit in the coming months.