So I'm guessing he'll get #8? But who will be our #10? When Ozil left, we didn't have a #10 for the reason of the season. James?
Still would have preferred Pogba to have been our CM signing but it seems the management preferred to go for a static dictator of play rather than for a dynamic box to box midfielder. He is very similar to Illara and Alonso. Anyways I wish him well here and hopefully he can play a key part in our future success.
I'm most excited about the longball completion stat. The other pass stats are inflated by Guardiola's system and I'm not sure how'll they'll translate here, but those longballs seem perfect for us given our speedy false winger talent.
Really curious to see how Carlo imagines all the pieces fitting together. Honestly, my first guess and biggest feeling has been that he is coming to replace Alonso in the lineup. We'll try to get him to be Xabi's natural successor. If not that, I can also see Modric taking on Di Maria's role of the energetic, disruptive box-to-box player, especially since when earlier Carlo was asked if he will turn Modric into Pirlo, his answer was that Luka needs to be a lot more vertical than Pirlo to give his best. So in that case, I can see a line up of - Modric---Kroos---Khedira or something working fine as well. Then Isco can rotate with Modric, and Xabi with Kroos.
It's not official until... A good highlight of him from a key game last season in the CL Welcome Kroos
Very excited about this. I would play him and Modric together as the 8 and 10, with a holder behind, but Kroos allows a lot of tactical variation in the midfield three. He can play any position there. I only see him playing the holder if Sami or a similar strongly defensive box to box player plays as the 8. I wouldn't move Modric back, it stops him from those little darts forward that he is so brilliant at. Kroos and Modric in the same midfield is going to be lovely to watch, it's the best possession midfield in the world IMO. And we already have the best counter-attacking forward line in the world. This signing allows us to play both ways. One of Khedira or Di Maria will probably be sold but I'm not too fussed about that tbh. Both really good players but they can be starters elsewhere and they will probably be on the bench a lot of the time next season if they stay.
Beat any system any how without breaking a sweat. Its the ultimate playing style being able to counter any style with a small change.
I am not very excited about this signing which is a very good sign, because when I am not, they usually work out very well.
I feel it all in my head, I feel it all in my feet, I feel it all in my heart...ooooh.....it feels go-od yeah! Indeed, welcome Toni and best wishes for much success in your time here because ultimately your success is our success!
Mundo Deportivo: "El Real Madrid presenta esta tarde a Kroos, una operación de más de 100 'kilos' " lol, these Cule "journalists" stay salty. I love it. Bienvenido Toñito Kroos!
Just think. We were linked with Rakitic earlier this summer, decent enough player but I would have been depressed if we'd signed him. Now we get World Cup winner Kroos, and Rakitic is the heir to Xavi (that role which formerly belonged to Thiago and then Fabregas). Things could be soooooooooo much worse right now
In case Toni thought fancy-shmancy hi-tech stuff was only available in Germany! Toni's level of madridismo is being checked before he's allowed into his room at Valdebebas.