There is not much positive for Real Madrid to take from their sad defeat against Rangers at Ibrox. Zinedine Zidane will try to block a performance from his memory, while Marcelo will have the world out as we talk and try to find the longest he can get away from Ryan Kent and Scott Wright.
For youngster Miguel Gutierrez, however, it was another day to remember in the famous white shirt.
The 19-year-old is making a name for himself at the Bernabeu, and although he may just be their third choice left-back when everyone is in shape and shooting, it will certainly not be long before he is much further up the notch.
Go on, Marcelo. There’s a new king in town, and here’s everything you need to know about him.
Luka Modric gets a breakthrough for Madrid! ⚪
Which assist from Miguel Gutiérrez at his first LaLiga start? pic.twitter.com/KFOXahrbwo
– Premier Sports? (@PremierSportsTV) May 13, 2021
They say you should never judge a player by their nickname, but when your nickname is ‘The Eagle’, you set a pretty high bar for yourself.
Gutierrez’s moniker probably comes from his eagle-eyed vision, which he showed against Granada in his first La Liga start ever in May.
He outclassed the home side’s keeper, adding another goal for the visitors.
Zidane watches Gutierrez replaces Marcelo / Soccrates Images / Getty Images
Among those who had had their minds blown by Gutierrez’s maid’s assistant was his then boss Zinedine Zidane, who described his performance as “phenomenal”.
Hungary was only in the team due to injuries to Marcelo and Ferland Mendy, but the mark he made has kept him in the picture ever since.
“Miguel played because we did not have Mendy or Marcelo and I think he was phenomenal. I’m happy for him. He is a Real Madrid player. ”
Gutierrez celebrates scoring for Real under 19 / FABRICE COFFRINI / Getty Images
It’s not just his assistants who catch the eye. Although he played on the left side of a back four during the majority of his innovative career, Gutierrez has an incredible condition for goals.
He almost got one with a fantastic solo run against the Rangers, coming off the bench to take Nathan Patterson for a ride and smack the post.
It was almost a return to the kind of form that saw him score in three UEFA Youth League matches in 2020 – the quarter, the semi-final and the final on Real’s way to lift the trophy.
Real Madrid are very happy with Miguel Gutiérrez, a home left-back who has had his first chances to play for the first team this season.
Doubts the chance that Sergio Reguilón will return to Real.
– Defensa Central # THFC # RMCR pic.twitter.com/tCOmho0vCn
– FootballPurists (@FootballPurist_) May 4, 2021
If you had not already gathered, Gutierrez will be ranked very, very highly.
So much so that the coach of Real Madrid’s Castilla team – B-team for the uninitiated – thinks he has a higher ceiling than Sergio Reguillon, who is currently lighting up the Premier League with Spurs.
This comes from realchamps.com, which expects the academy staff to see a bright future in the child’s horizon.
Arsenal show interest in Real Madrid star Miguel Gutierrezhttps: //t.co/AcqXPJjHCa pic.twitter.com/WvIN3JUjiE
– Mirror Football (@MirrorFootball) June 28, 2021
Gutierrez has been on the radar of most major European clubs for some time now, and the rumor in England was that Arsenal were desperately trying to land him before deciding on Nuno Tavares from Sporting CP.
He has also been linked with West Ham and Leeds among many others, and while interest seems to have died down at the moment when Carlo Ancelotti looks at him during the season, was not surprised to see him tipped for a Premier League loan in the coming weeks.
? | Miguel Gutiérrez. pic.twitter.com/45nz3Z7A60
– Real Madrid Fabrica (@FabricaMadrid) July 18, 2021
As things stand, it is widely believed that the young man has a release clause of 40 million euros in his contract. That is 34 million pounds, if any of the English sides in the frame want to watch Real Madrid and take the negotiations out of their hands.
It’s a steep fee for him as he now looks – he has only made six appearances at the club, while he has yet to even break into the U21 side in Spain.
If he continues his development in the coming months, however, it will not be long before it begins to seem like a bargain.
