When Real Madrid paid Bayern Munich an undisclosed fee in the region
of €25-30 million for the services of Toni Kroos, the transfer was
almost unanimously hailed as one of the best deals of the summer.
And understandably so. After all, in an inflated market which saw unproven upstarts like Luke Shaw, Ander Herrera and Eliaquim Mangala move for much bigger prices, Kroos represented outstanding value – regardless of the fact he had just 12 months to run on his Bayern contract.
This is a player who was instrumental in Germany’s World Cup success and by the age of 24 has already won over 50 caps, as well as 12 club trophies with Bayern – including three Bundesliga crowns and the Champions League.
"Congratulations, you have signed the best player from the World Cup," was the verdict of Brazilian legend Ronaldo.
Technically and creatively, Kroos is a top class footballer. He dictates and directs the play, sets the rhythm for his team and has a range of passing comparable to almost anyone. Aesthetically, he seems perfect for Real Madrid - this most mythical of clubs that prides itself on artists who capture the imagination. In the opening two rounds of the Liga campaign, Kroos has the joint-most assists and only three players have created more goalscoring chances – one of them Lionel Messi.
However, statistics are often misleading and there have already been some serious tactical warning signs this season that Madrid (and Germany) must not ignore if Kroos is to truly flourish in the Spanish capital.
Germany’s exertions over the last week have shown that in a double pivot Kroos is a liability unless he is protected by a top-class holding midfielder. He is too slow and lacks the physical and mental qualities to be the primary provider of defensive cover. Germany were torn apart in the 4-2 friendly loss against Argentina when Kroos was partnered by Christoph Kramer at the base of the midfield. Time and time again, the South Americans burst through the space that Kroos and Kramer were supposed to be occupying. Ex-Madridista Angel Di Maria was particularly devastating.
Four days later when Germany registered a fortuitous 2-1 win in their first Euro 2016 qualifier in Dortmund, the duo experienced similar problems as they were overrun in the second half by Scotland’s attacking midfielders. In transitional phases and when the game is too open, Kroos needs expert help – and Kramer clearly doesn’t fit that description right now.
"Kroos has incredible skills and has some mouthwatering actions each game. But he then loses the ball, walks on and is found missing in defence," Pep Guardiola’s assistant at Bayern, Hermann Gerland, once remarked.
And understandably so. After all, in an inflated market which saw unproven upstarts like Luke Shaw, Ander Herrera and Eliaquim Mangala move for much bigger prices, Kroos represented outstanding value – regardless of the fact he had just 12 months to run on his Bayern contract.
This is a player who was instrumental in Germany’s World Cup success and by the age of 24 has already won over 50 caps, as well as 12 club trophies with Bayern – including three Bundesliga crowns and the Champions League.
"Congratulations, you have signed the best player from the World Cup," was the verdict of Brazilian legend Ronaldo.
Technically and creatively, Kroos is a top class footballer. He dictates and directs the play, sets the rhythm for his team and has a range of passing comparable to almost anyone. Aesthetically, he seems perfect for Real Madrid - this most mythical of clubs that prides itself on artists who capture the imagination. In the opening two rounds of the Liga campaign, Kroos has the joint-most assists and only three players have created more goalscoring chances – one of them Lionel Messi.
However, statistics are often misleading and there have already been some serious tactical warning signs this season that Madrid (and Germany) must not ignore if Kroos is to truly flourish in the Spanish capital.
Germany’s exertions over the last week have shown that in a double pivot Kroos is a liability unless he is protected by a top-class holding midfielder. He is too slow and lacks the physical and mental qualities to be the primary provider of defensive cover. Germany were torn apart in the 4-2 friendly loss against Argentina when Kroos was partnered by Christoph Kramer at the base of the midfield. Time and time again, the South Americans burst through the space that Kroos and Kramer were supposed to be occupying. Ex-Madridista Angel Di Maria was particularly devastating.
Four days later when Germany registered a fortuitous 2-1 win in their first Euro 2016 qualifier in Dortmund, the duo experienced similar problems as they were overrun in the second half by Scotland’s attacking midfielders. In transitional phases and when the game is too open, Kroos needs expert help – and Kramer clearly doesn’t fit that description right now.
"Kroos has incredible skills and has some mouthwatering actions each game. But he then loses the ball, walks on and is found missing in defence," Pep Guardiola’s assistant at Bayern, Hermann Gerland, once remarked.
