What future for Real Madrid without Toni Kroos?

He has just announced this Tuesday, May 21, Toni Kroos is coming to the end of his footballing adventure. Still having to play a La Liga match against Real Betis Balompié and the Champions League final against Borussia Dortmund before going to Euro 2024 with Germany at home, the German midfielder is two matches away from the end of his Madrid adventure. The former Bayern Munich player, who has made 463 appearances for the Merengues for 28 goals and 98 goals, is on track to win his 5th Champions League and his 23rd trophy with the Spanish club in ten years of happiness.

Creator, master of tempo and time, the native of Greifswald has been one of the keystones of Madrid’s successes for years and will naturally leave a gap to fill. Real Madrid have often been able to replace their stars, but the challenge will not be such a simple affair. Serenity, technical quality, mastery of the rhythm of matches, long play, the qualities which characterize the German midfielder are numerous. And Real Madrid will have to compensate for this departure. With the imminent arrival of Kylian Mbappé who should transform the current 4-4-2 diamond of Real Madrid to a 4-3-3 with Joselu, Kylian Mbappé, Vinicius Junior, Brahim Diaz, Arda Güler and Rodrygo Goes in the sector offensively, the midfield will see Jude Bellingham (20 years old) go down a notch.

A rookie, Luka Modric or both?

If he was able to maximize the role assigned to him, the English midfielder is expected to find a much more traditional place for him in the midfield. Alongside him, Federico Valverde (25 years old) is also expected to start. The Uruguayan has been essential with the Merengues for five seasons. Once again very valuable this season, he was able to bring this verticality, this projection and this ability to strike from afar. From then on, the third starting place will be played out as often between Eduardo Camavinga (21 years old) and Aurélien Tchouaméni (24 years old). The latter city took the advantage this season while the former Rennais was more of a luxury joker whose versatility allowed him to play in different registers.

The two players seem well on their way to once again pulling out all the stops in order to grab the last starting place at Real Madrid. At least, unless the Merengues decide to bring a major new recruit into the midfield. The name of Bruno Guimaraes (Newcastle) was notably mentioned even if another possibility remains, the extension of Luka Modric (38 years old) for an additional year. The Croatian is coming to the end of his contract and seemed ready for a while, but his good end to the season changed the situation and the departure of Toni Kroos could also play a role in this matter. Seeing a recruit arrive and Luka Modric stay is not far-fetched. Sixth midfielder for Real Madrid, Dani Ceballos (27 years old) is under contract until June 2027 and remains marginal (26 appearances, but only 861 minutes played) in Carlo Ancelotti’s plans. If the Spaniard and/or Luka Modric leave, a recruit may well arrive. If so, this would be more surprising, because the positions are perfectly doubled.