kroos
Real Madrid legend Toni Kroos has suggested that his former side will find it difficult to identify a player capable of replacing him.
WHAT HAPPENED?
Since retiring a Champions League winner with Real Madrid, Kroos has continued to offer his opinion on his former side on a regular basis. In their first season without the German, Los Blancos finished second in La Liga and were thumped 5-1 on aggregate by Arsenal in the Champions League - a pair of disasters that led to Carlo Ancelotti's sacking and the appointment of Xabi Alonso. Madrid have at times struggled to control games, despite possessing the world's best players, and Kroos believes that a dearth of controllers in his mould has been the key factor behind this.
Kroos
WHAT KROOS SAID
Via Mundo Deportivo, Kroos said: “They’re still missing a profile like mine, they’re still looking for it. There aren’t many players like that, and the ones that are there aren’t easy to get.
“It’s too early to judge Xabi’s Real Madrid. It takes time to evaluate the changes and implementation of his ideas.
“I’m sure Xabi knows how to correct things, as there are things that need to change, because with so much quality – things have to go well.”
THE BIGGER PICTURE
When Kroos retired, Ancelotti admitted that it would be difficult to replace the German with existing options Jude Bellingham, Aurelien Tchouameni, Federico Valverde, Dani Ceballos and Eduardo Camavinga unable to match Kroos' abilities with the ball. There have been suggestions that Arda Guler could move into a more central role but the Turkish playmaker remains young. Los Blancos also pushed hard to sign Martin Zubimendi from Real Sociedad, but the Spanish midfielder opted to move to Arsenal.
FBL-WC-CLUB-2025-MATCH48-SALZBURG-REAL MADRID
WHAT NEXT FOR REAL MADRID?
Madrid will continue to search for the right midfielder to offer a Kroos-esque level of control to their midfield, but options remain scarce. Yet, if there is one manager who knows best about finding the right deep-lying playmaker, it would be Alonso. The new Madrid boss played 158 times in La Liga for the club and was the predecessor to Kroos' own excellence.
[(Augsburg) Strength]: 1. Augsburg performed well in the league and the Cup at the beginning of the season. Facing Bundesliga leaders, FC Bayern Munich, they will surely go all out for 3 points in this round, the first home game of the new season.2. Augsburg center-back Maximilian Bauer, left-back Dimitris Giannoulis, and offensive midfielder Alexis Claude Maurice will be sidelined. Besides, centr...
[(Manchester United F.C.) Strength]: 1. Manchester United F.C. have had a challenging start to the season, with one draw and one loss in their first two league games. They have scored one goal and conceded two, currently sitting 16th in the Premier League table. The team will be highly motivated to secure a positive result as they play at home in this game.2. Manchester United F.C.'s key Dutch cen...
[(Consadole Sapporo) Strength]: 1. Consadole Sapporo currently rank 11th in the league table. The team need to strive for points to compete for promotion, and they are highly motivated for this match.2. Mario Sergio performed outstandingly in the last game. He scored the first goal to break the deadlock and helped the team win.3. Consadole Sapporo won 2-1 against Ventforet Kofu in the last game, e...
[(Puebla FC) Strength]: 1. Puebla FC's performance was poor this season. Staying at the bottom of the table, the team are eager for points to climb up in the table, fully motivated in this game.2. Puebla FC won the last two games in AH with performances as expected.[(Puebla FC) Weakness]: 1. Puebla FC failed to score in the last 4 games with a gloomy offense.2. Puebla FC drew 0-0 against Pumas UNA...
[(Ulsan HD FC) Strength]: 1. Ulsan HD FC are only 8th in the K League 1 table, failing to enter the Split A due to their poor form. Facing the leaders, Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors, they have to go all out for points in this game, as they still hope for a Split A spot.2. Ulsan HD FC scored an average of over 1 goal per home game this season so far and had 10 goals in the previous 6 games, demonstrating ...
[(Vissel Kobe) Strength]: 1. Vissel Kobe are currently ranked 5th in the league, trailing the top spot by just one point. Facing bottom-placed Yokohama F. Marinos, the whole team are highly motivated and determined to secure a full three points at home to continue their push for the top position.2. Vissel Kobe have maintained a solid performance at home this season, securing 7 wins, 2 draws, and 4...
[(Sunderland A.F.C.) Strength]: 1. Sunderland A.F.C. have one win and one loss after two rounds of the new Premier League season and are currently seventh in the Premier League table. Their performance is already quite good among newly-promoted teams.[(Sunderland A.F.C.) Neutral]: 1. Sunderland A.F.C.'s 19-year-old midfielder Christopher Rigg has promised to extend his contract with the club until...
[(Kyoto Sanga FC) Strength]: 1. Kyoto Sanga FC are at the top of the J1 League table, 3 points ahead of 2nd-placed Kashima Antlers. The title race is very intense. This home match against mid-table team Fagiano Okayama is a crucial battle to consolidate their lead, and their motivation is very high.2. Kyoto Sanga FC won 3-0 over FC Tokyo in the last league game on the road, securing a 3-game winni...
[(Yokohama FC) Strength]: 1. Yokohama FC currently rank 19th in the J1 League and are deeply mired in the relegation zone and under huge pressure to avoid relegation. In this home game against 14th-placed Tokyo Verdy, Yokohama FC are highly motivated. The team are eager to take all three points by leveraging the home field advantage.[(Yokohama FC) Weakness]: 1. Yokohama FC's forwards, Toma Murata ...
Let's start our Daily Laugh today. Here we go!! Nick Woltemade to Newcastle Here we go!! Garnacho to Chelsea UCL League phase draw 25/26(English Football Clubs) Bayindir & Onana Man Utd vs Grimsby Town Man United's 25/26 season summed up so far: Real Madrid have been handed one of the TOUGHEST fixture lists in the 2025/26 UCL League Phase! Please stay tuned on Daily Laugh. T...
- 1 Lamine Yamal goes public with rapper girlfriend
- 2 TIPS - Atletico Mineiro (MG) VS Cruzeiro (MG)
- 3 Ruben Amorim gives cryptic response when asked about Andre Onana returning to starting XI for Fulham clash after Altay Bayindir blunder handed Arsenal victory
- 4 'Victory Bodes Well for Future' – Gasperini Delighted with Roma’s Opening Day Win
- 5 TIPS - Eintracht Frankfurt VS Werder Bremen
- 6 Transfer rumors, news: Arsenal could turn to Lyon's Fofana
- 7 Antony’s Man United Exit Hopes Rest on Fresh Real Betis Bid Within 'Next 24 Hours'
- 8 TIPS - Gamba Osaka VS Yokohama FC
- 9 TIPS - Schalke 04 VS VfL Bochum
- 10 TIPS - Sunderland A.F.C. VS Huddersfield Town A.F.C.