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.
Ideally, Kroos is suited to a central midfield three where his defensive contributions are less important – but even in such a set-up a first-rate anchor man is needed. Real Madrid have started the season slowly because with Xabi Alonso sold and Sami Khedira injured, they have lost their balance. Di Maria’s sale has only compounded matters as the Argentine’s workrate and running cannot be matched by Kroos or fellow newboy James Rodriguez.
Former Bayern coach Jupp Heynckes recognised this problem during Bayern’s treble-winning year in 2012-13 and, prior to his season-ending injury in March, positioned Kroos mainly in the No.10 role where the Bavarians could benefit from his offensive qualities without suffering from his defensive deficiencies.
During the latter stages of the World Cup, Kroos was able to shine in what was ostensibly a midfield three as he was shielded by Bastian Schweinsteiger and Sami Khedira (who missed the final). Schweinsteiger and Khedira did all the dirty work and allowed Kroos to express himself as the Zwischenspieler – the link between midfield and attack - notably scoring twice in the 7-1 semi-final thrashing of hosts Brazil.
This is the set-up that Carlo Ancelotti must replicate at Madrid if he is to get the best out of Kroos. During the shambolic 4-2 humbling at San Sebastian in week two, the Italian virtually handed the game to Real Sociedad by fielding Kroos, Luka Modric and Isco as the midfielders in a 4-3-3. The latter can only play as the No.10 in a 4-2-3-1 system, while for all his workrate Modric can hardly be considered a ball-winner. With such a soft centre, it came as no surprise that Kroos, like most of his team-mates, endured a miserable evening.
“Kroos plays better offensively than he does defensively,” former Madrid full-back Robert Jarni told Goal last month, adding that the now departed Xabi Alonso was important for the chemistry of the team.
The problem Ancelotti faces is that his defensive midfield options are limited. With Khedira sidelined with thigh and knee problems for up to two months, the only natural holding midfielder available is Asier Illarramendi who, like Kramer, appears unready for the highest level. The coach is also under pressure from above to find a place for €80m signing James, which only further complicates matters.
Against lesser opposition, particularly at home, the European champions will continue to steamroller opposition such is the abundance of attacking quality they possess through the likes of Kroos, Modric, James, Gareth Bale, Cristiano Ronaldo and Karim Benzema. But against the very best - and in today’s age where a handful of super-clubs monopolise all the money and talent, this is where success and failure is now judged - Madrid will not be able to get away with just throwing all their Galacticos onto one pitch.
If they do, then both Kroos and Madrid will suffer.
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