Unusual: The best players of Real Madrid are not starters

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La Liga

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Atletico Madrid Real Madrid

20/09/26 16:15:00

3.30 3.80 1.91

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Carlos Espí is making the most of his few minutes to claim that he is one of the best Real Madrid signings: he has scored two goals in just 25 minutes of LaLiga and once again decided the match against Elche with a goal in the 90th minute for the 2-3 victory. His performance, combined with the growth of Arda Güler, has led Albert Ortega to place both among the players who are contributing the most to Jose Mourinho's team.

Espí's case stands out, especially for his efficiency. The 21-year-old forward has not yet started a match in the championship but has played in four games, needing only four shots to score two goals. His production is coming from a secondary role within the offensive rotation.

CARLOS ESPI. 🤍

LALIGAHighlights | LALIGAEASPORTS pic.twitter.com/Y90e1oXQDw

— LALIGA (@LaLiga) September 15, 2026

Carlos Espí turns his minutes into goals

Carlos Espí once again showed up when Real Madrid needed him most at the Martínez Valero. The white team had squandered a 0-2 lead, and Elche managed to equalize in the 83rd minute. Mourinho then turned to Espí, and the forward scored the decisive goal in stoppage time.

This was not the first time. Espí had already been decisive against Espanyol, and his two goals at the beginning of LaLiga came in matches where Madrid needed to settle the score in the final moments. The forward has turned that performance into six points for the team.

Competition explains his situation. Mourinho has Kylian Mbappé and Vinicius for the attacking positions, while Espí is being used as an alternative for the final minutes. However, his statistics are turning every appearance into an argument to increase his playing time.

Arda Güler increases his importance with Mourinho

Arda Güler is in a different situation. The midfielder has played in all six Liga matches, starting in four, accumulating 295 minutes, one goal, and two assists. The Turkish player is much more involved than Espí, although his presence in the starting XI is not guaranteed every time.

Against Elche, he once again had a direct impact on the score. His free-kick led to an own goal by Matías Dituro that opened the scoring, and his ability to link up with the forwards was significant in the first half. This season, he has also made 21 recoveries and 172 passes in the league.

His influence can also be seen in his creativity. Güler is providing 8.3 key passes every 90 minutes, a figure that in mid-September placed him at the top of the rankings in the five major European leagues. Mourinho has publicly acknowledged his ability to enhance the team's game, though he continues to use different midfield combinations.

The next decision will come in the derby against Atlético de Madrid. Mourinho will once again have to choose between several alternatives to complete the starting lineup, while Carlos Espí waits for another opportunity from the bench. With two goals in 25 minutes of LaLiga, each appearance is increasing the pressure for the forward to get more playing time at Real Madrid.

This news is an automatic translation. You can read the original news, Insólito: Los mejores del Real Madrid no son titulares