Real Madrid faces a challenge in finding a deep-lying playmaker following Toni Kroos's departure. The team lacks a clear leader in midfield to dictate the pace and create opportunities.
Key points
Toni Kroos was a key playmaker for Real Madrid.
Kroos averaged over 80 passes per 90 minutes in La Liga.
His departure has created a leadership void in midfield.
Real Madrid is exploring solutions for their midfield issues.
Toni Kroos was the orchestra conductor during his 10 year run at Real Madrid, pulling the strings to set the tempo for the team’s attack, providing pause when needed and verticality when the opportunity presented itself. The German midfielder was also a specialist in switches – passes from one flank of the pitch to the other – to create numerical advantages on the field. Since Kroos’s departure, the Madrid midfield has not had a clear leader demanding the ball to play out from the back and capable of knowing when to slow things down and when to speed them up at the appropriate time during the match.
Kroos averaged over 80 passes per 90 minutes in La Liga in six of his final seven seasons at Real Madrid. That included 100 (2023/2024 season) and 97 (2022/2023 season) pass attempts per 90 during the German great’s final two seasons at the club.
To put that in perspective, this season, only eight midfielders who have logged at least 1000 minutes in the top five European leagues are averaging 80+ pass attempts per 90***:*** Vitinha (116.6), Aleix García (104), Joshua Kimmich (103.9), Aleksandar Pavlović (98.8), Rodri (96.6), (87), (83.5) and (83). Amongst Madrid midfielders, Tchouaméni leads with less than 65 pass attempts per 90.
Q&A
Who was Toni Kroos and why was he important to Real Madrid?
Toni Kroos was a key midfielder for Real Madrid, known for his ability to control the game's tempo and create scoring opportunities through precise passing.
What are the statistics for Toni Kroos's passing during his last seasons at Real Madrid?
In his final two seasons, Kroos averaged 100 passes per 90 minutes in 2023/2024 and 97 passes per 90 minutes in 2022/2023.
What impact has Kroos's departure had on Real Madrid's midfield?
Kroos's departure has left Real Madrid without a clear leader in midfield, affecting their ability to play out from the back and manage the game's pace.
What potential solutions are being considered for Real Madrid's midfield dilemma?
The article discusses various strategies and player options that could address the gap left by Kroos in Real Madrid's midfield.
Related Articles
Sports
📹 Cheered in Argentina, Neymar gives boots to San Lorenzo player
Neymar receives cheers in Argentina and gifts his boots to San Lorenzo's Ezequiel Herrera.
Yahoo Sports··1 min read
NBA·Recap
Knicks overwhelm Hawks in Game 5, grab 3-2 series lead
Knicks take control with a 126-97 win over Hawks in Game 5, leading series 3-2.
Yahoo Sports··1 min read
MLB·Injury Update
Rays star Junior Caminero leaves win over Guardians early after taking foul ball to the jaw
Rays' Junior Caminero leaves game early after taking a foul ball to the jaw.
Yahoo Sports··1 min read
NHL·Recap
Matt Boldy and Wild go home with chance to clinch series after beating Stars 3-1 in Game 5
Wild take 3-2 series lead after 4-2 win over Stars in Game 5
Yahoo Sports··1 min read
Sports
Shane Beamer reveals how potential NCAA 5-for-5 eligibility rule can impact college football
Shane Beamer discusses potential impact of NCAA's 5-for-5 eligibility rule on college football.
Yahoo Sports··1 min read
MLB·Recap
Cam Schlittler shines again and Aaron Judge hits 12th homer as Yankees beat Rangers 3-2
Cam Schlittler struck out eight in six scoreless innings, while Aaron Judge hit his 12th homer as the Yankees defeated the Rangers 3-2. This victory marks the Yankees' 10th win in their last 11 games.
Below we discuss some players that are most often mentioned to fill the deep-lying playmaker role in Madrid’s midfield that has been absent since Kroos’s retirement, as well as some other that are less talked about, but we consider viable options.
Mission Impossible VITINHA
Age at start of next season: 26 Contract: Until 2029 Approximate market value: €110 million Current annual gross earnings: €16.4 million (€11.8 million salary + €4.6 million bonus), 6th highest on PSG
Arguably the best deep-lying playmaker in Europe today, Vitinha leads all players in the top five European Leagues with an average of 117 pass attempts per 90 minutes and is one of only two players (Rodri: 107,6) in Champions League this season to average over 100 passes (104,6) per 90. The Portuguese midfielder is the engine that runs PSG’s well-oiled machine that is currently favoured to repeat as Champions League winners. This season has seen Vitinha increase his goal production with six goals in Champions League play and six assists in Ligue 1.
Now 26, Vitinha was signed from Porto in the summer of 2022 for €41.5 million. With a contract that runs until 2029 and with PSG in no immediate need for cash, Madrid’s signing of Vitinha on the surface would seem nearly impossible this summer. And any signing would likely require Madrid to break the transfer record for a central midfielder; a price tag Madrid might be unwilling to meet. That said, Vitinha is the one DLP that would most ensure that Madrid returns to glory and given the player’s age, a record investment needs to be considered if the player is interested in forcing a move to the Spanish capital. Rest assured, the signing of Vitinha this summer is the type of move that would have had Florentino Pérez salivating over 25 years ago.
The Madrileño Connection RODRI Age at start of next season: 30 Contract: Until 2027 Approximate market value: €65 million Current annual gross earnings: €16.4 million (€13.1 million salary + €3.3 million bonus), 10th highest on City
The Spaniard may not yet be back at his 2024 Balon D’Or form following his ACL surgery, but Rodri has once again become the key cog in the City midfield. Rodri leads the Premier League with 97 pass attempts per 90 this season, slightly down from the 111 he averaged during his Balon D’Or season when he led the top five European Leagues.
Born in Madrid, Rodri has expressed an interest in returning home to play at Real Madrid after spending the last seven seasons in Manchester. The possible departure of Pep Guardiola this summer, coupled with possible sanctions to City for alleged breaches of Premier League financial rules, could accelerate Rodri’s interest in a potential return to the Spanish capital where he played for one season at Atleti.
Rodri’s contract ends next season which gives City the impetus to look for a sale this summer if the Spaniard is not prepared to sign an extension. Transfermarkt values Rodri at €65 million**,** but there are rumors that a possible deal could be closed for approximately €50 million. Several Spanish football journalists have indicated he is the preferred signing of President Florentino Pérez. His prospective signing comes with some caveats, namely concerns about his age and availability given any potential setbacks considering his 2025 knee surgery. But it should be noted that given his experience operating as a sole defensive midfielder, Rodri’s signing would allow Madrid to play with 2-3 midfielders in more advanced positions. Signing Rodri would significantly reduce the minutes of Aurélien Tchouaméni, possibly leading to a sale of Tchouaméni and / or Eduardo Camavinga.
Major financial investment in younger players with big upside, but riskier bets
ENZO FERNÁNDEZ
Age at start of next season: 25 Contract: Until 2032 Approximate market value: €90 million Current annual gross earnings: €13.4 million (€13.1 million salary + €3.3 million bonus), 3rd highest on Chelsea
Chelsea signed Enzo Fernández from Benfica for €121 million in January 2023 following his superlative play at the 2022 World Cup — a record amount for a central midfielder. Enzo’s spectacular performances for Argentina led to him eventually being named Best Young Player of that tournament. The Argentine has played in a more advanced role at Chelsea over the last two seasons, but truly shined playing in a deeper role with Argentina and while at Benfica where he dazzled scouts with his line-breaking, incisive passing ability**.**
Much as with Jude Bellingham, there are questions about Enzo’s willingness to play for club in a deeper role as he does for the Argentine national team. After all, with Bellingham, Arda Güler and the likely return of Nico Paz, Real Madrid already has plenty of talent to play in a more advanced midfield role. But what isn’t questioned is his interest in a possible transfer to Madrid. The Argentine was suspended for two matches in April after expressing in an interview during the international break that it would be difficult to say no to living in the Spanish capital. He has also expressed special admiration for Toni Kroos and Luka Modric’s playing style in recent interviews, viewed by many as another indication of his interest in joining Real Madrid.
The fact that Chelsea currently sit eightht in the Premier League and are likely to miss out on Champions League football next season may also be a factor for Enzo to push for a move to Madrid this summer. His €13.4 million wages would currently rank Enzo 13th on the current Madrid squad, less than the €15.6 million that Tchouaméni and Camavinga are each currently earning. Signing Enzo would most likely require a double pivot system as he has often partnered with Moisés Caicedo when playing in a deeper role at Chelsea. Per Opta, the Argentine wins only 44% of his ground duels in the Premier this season, significantly less than 65% of Tchouaméni or the 53% of Rodri and Vitinha. The Chelsea midfielder has also been among the most dribbled past players in Europe over the last two seasons. If José Mourinho becomes the next Madrid coach, a Tchouaméni / Enzo partnership seems plausible, with the Portuguese manager looking to replicate the Khedira / Xabi Alonso partnership from his first stint on the Madrid bench.
Given his age and large transfer fee three years ago, it is likely that signing the Argentine from the London club would command a significant investment by Madrid, with the transfer fee most likely near €100 million.
ELLIOT ANDERSON Age at start of next season: 23 Contract: Until 2029 Approximate market value: €60 million Current annual gross earnings: €2.98 million (€2.39 million salary + €0.6 million bonus), 18th highest on Nottingham Forest
2025/2026 has been a breakout season for Elliot Anderson and this summer’s World Cup may make him an international star. Developed within Newcastle’s youth academy, Anderson was sold by the Magpies to Nottingham Forest for €41.2 million in the summer of 2024. The English midfielder is expected to be one of the most coveted summer signings, with his transfer fee expected to be well north of €100 million and Manchester City amongst his suitors.
Anderson leads the Premier in progressive passes and is a proven ball winner. He is by a wide margin the player with the most ball recoveries in the Premier this season with 279, over 100 more than any other outfield player in England’s top league. He also is an underrated dribbler as he currently sits ninth in the Premier in successful take-ons this season.
Anderson lacks the track record of Vitinha or Rodri so his signing comes with greater risk and no assurances that he can replicate his success at Nottingham Forest at a bigger club or year after year. But his incisive passing, fast circulation of the ball, outstanding ball recovery skills and age make him a very promising signing. Indicative of his ability to circulate the ball quickly, the Nottingham Forest midfielder was averaging over four quick progressive passes (progressive passes within two seconds of receiving the ball) per 90 as of March, first among under 25 year old players in Europe’s top five leagues this season.
German Solution Once Again? ANGELO STILLER Age at start of next season: 25 Contract: Until 2028 Approximate market value: €45 million Current annual gross earnings: €5.7 million (€4.5 million salary + 1.1 million bonus), 3rd highest on Stuttgart
A product of the Bayern Munich youth system, Angelo Stiller has emerged at Stuttgart as on one of Europe’s most coveted DLPs. The 25 year old German midfielder is averaging 79 pass attempts per 90 on a Stuttgart team that averages the 11th highest possession amongst the 96 teams in the top five leagues.
As of March, Stiller was averaging over 3.5 quick progressive passes per 90, third most behind only Anderson and Adam Wharton among under 25 players in Europe’s top five leagues, with an impressive 86.2% accuracy on those quick passes.
Juventus and Manchester United are also rumored to be interested in signing the German midfielder for between €50-60 million before the World Cup begins while Madrid scouts are believed to have been to various of his matches in Germany this season.
Low cost veterans
MANUEL LOCATELLI
Age at start of next season: 28 Contract: Until 2030 Approximate market value: €25 million Current annual gross earnings: €7.6 million (€6.1 million salary + €1.5 million bonus), 6th highest on Juventus
Locatelli is finishing his fifth season at Juventus and may be looking for a change of scene after spending his entire career in Italy. The Juve skipper this season ranks amongst the top European midfielders in passes into the final third and line-breaking passes.
With wages of €7.6 million and an approximate transfer fee of €25 million, Locatelli represents a lower cost investment compared to the aforementioned options.
ALEIX GARCÍA Age at start of next season: 29 Contract: Until 2029 Approximate market value: €20 million Current annual gross earnings: €6.6 million (€5.3 million salary + €1.3 million bonus), 6th highest on Leverkusen
Much like Locatelli, Aleix García is another veteran that would represent a lower cost investment than signing Vitinha, Enzo Fernández, Elliot Anderson, Rodri or Stiller. The Spaniard also has the advantage of already knowing La Liga, having played three seasons in Spain’s first division, including during his outstanding 2023/2024 season at Girona that led to his transfer to Bayer Leverkusen.
Similar to Kroos, García is prolific in passes that switch the field of play, leading La Liga in that statistic during his last season at Girona. A product of the Villarreal youth system, García is currently second in the top five European Leagues with 104 pass attempts per 90. He could slide in nicely into a double pivot with Tchouaméni for certain matches.
Signing both Locatelli and Aleix García would add significant depth to the Madrid squad for under €60 million and allow the club to concentrate higher spending on signing one or two top centre-backs.
*Approximate Market Values for each player per Transfermarkt and wages according to Capology
