Real Madrid were blessed with two of the most prominent midfielders in football. The duo of Toni Kroos and Luka Modric was enough to trouble any defence. They achieved a lot of success together and are looking to add more titles together. The Spanish club is also keen to keep the duo in the team and offers a one-year contract extension at the end of every season. At the start of the 2023–24 season, they did the same and extended the contracts of both players.
Toni Kroos joined Real Madrid in 2014 and has been one of the most successful players in the club’s history. He has won three league titles and four UEFA Champions Leagues. The Los Blancos invest in young players in the summer. They have added a few midfielders in the last couple of seasons. These players often find it difficult to find consistency and need the support of these veterans. Kroos has been ever-present in the midfield, and here is a look at what he is doing to stabilise the midfield of the capital club.
German creativity
The 33-year-old midfielder has played in 13 combined games in the LaLiga and the UEFA Champions League this season. He has been involved in four goals. Kroos scored his only goal of the season in a defeat to Atletico Madrid.
The above visual shows the shot assists provided by the player in the current season. Kroos averages 77.13 passes per 90 minutes. He is the leading distributor of the ball on the team. The veteran attempts 13.7 passes to the final third and has a high accuracy rate of 90.7%. Toni Kroos is also the set-piece taker for the team. He has the ability to deliver quality passes into the penalty box. Most of the shot assists have been provided from the edge of the final third.
By looking at the progressive chart we can observe that Kroos likes to distribute the ball early. He attempts most of these passes from the defensive half and targets the wide runners on the left flank. This early distribution is mostly due to Real Madrid’s counter-attacking style of play.
Kroos has the ability to strike the ball from long range. His left foot is as good as his right foot. The veteran midfielder has attempted 16 shots and has a 50% accuracy rate. All his attempts have been made from a particular position. Kroos even has the technique to strike a volley and is often unlucky to hit the post.
Recoveries in dangerous areas
Toni Kroos is a midfielder who is not involved in a lot of defensive work. He likes to stay a bit deep and move the ball. However, the player can make some high recoveries and these are often dangerous for the opposition. In the current season, Kross has made seven dangerous recoveries and most of them were made on the edge of the penalty box. He also intercepts the ball 3.13 times per 90 minutes.
The 33-year-old has retired from international football and is now only focusing on club football. This is probably his last season in the Spanish capital. Kroos is delivering performances and this might earn him another contract extension. Carlo Ancelotti will hope that this midfield veteran continues to deliver and win silverware for his side.
Visuals via TFA data viz engine
