How Do You Replace a Legend? - The Transfers, Rumors & Lies Thread

Kroos has had seasons where he looked like he was completely done and that the game had passed him by only to come back and still be effective.

 

He might be playing so well because he knows it’s his last season. We will see though but I would love him to stay. I wonder if the two of them will become coaches?

I sometimes think about a Madrid best XI (based on those who I have actually seen play) and Modric got in there a while ago. I also would have probably had Alonso in there too alongside him, but Kroos could possibly be pushing him out.

 

Those who thought we couldn’t win with Kroos in the side as a DM. Silent.

 

Kroos will definitely play another year.

Modric is much older and likely gone after this year. He also has to play the Euro with Croatia this year. He usually never holds up well after an international tournament. Plus, you know Modric will play every available minute in that tournament. It is probably his last with Croatia.

 

Kroos hasn't been playing as a lone DM, Fede covers every blade of grass and then some. We can get away with this against most La Liga teams but it's suicidal against quality sides. We've seen this before.

Toni has been better this season, I think part of that has to do with fresh legs surrounding him but also for the first time in ages he actually has competition for his position.

 

Kroos has always had legs around him. We played with Camavinga, Valverde and Bellingham so I don’t believe that’s the case now.

The problem was, we was winning but leaking goals and it was all Kroos fault because he’s an old man lol.

World class always rises to the top.

 

With Valverde beside him and Bellingham in front. He is well covered. Similarly, Modric looks fine when he has Tchouameni beside him at the back.

It's just a question of balance. Kroos and Modric can give you good minutes in the right system. There just isn't a system right now where both of them fit. Hopefully, Ancelottie has caught on to this finally.

 

Not so sure. Kroos IMO just like Lahm, he just wants to retire when he is still on top. Even it's for some 'too young to retire'

 

From the modern (i.e. post Di Stefano) era, my best XI at their peak is probably:

Casillas, Carvajal, Hierro, Ramos, Marcelo; Kroos, Modric, Zidane; Cristiano, Ronaldo (R9), Figo.

Honourable mentions to Raul, Guti, Roberto Carlos, Benzema, Redondo.

 

Exactly.

Kroos can still contribute massively so long as he is not pressed or positioned as the lone DM – when he has time and space against low-block no-press teams he can do wonders.

I still think both him and Modric will be pressured to leave, my hypothesis is that our financials cannot accommodate keeping all the prestige high paid veterans and all the rising stars on the wings + midfield (some might want pay bumps due to Mbappe) while getting both Mbappe (€150m signing bonus + massive wage) and Davies (+€60m).

 

🚨🇩🇪 At Real Madrid they feel Toni Kroos should postpone his retirement further. Everything depends on the player, but Kroos is not rushing to make a decision. @relevo #rmalive pic.twitter.com/hSQwGao5Sv

— Madrid Zone (@theMadridZone) December 3, 2023

Well the club thinks differently.

 

I was comparing to last season where Kroos wasn't insulated. If memory serves correctly he and Modric were on the pitch at the same time quite a bit last season and at that point it didn't matter who the 3rd midfielder was.

Nobody is saying the guy isn't world class, but at this point he definitely needs a system catered to his abilities.

 

Just watched today bayer vs dortmund...frimpong aint on madrid level...i like more hakimi or prime reece james as a right back option for future

 

Toni has at least another year at Real Madrid. Still a quality talent to have on the bench next season.

 

@boeder
You want Mourinho as Brazil coach instead of Carlo.

Honestly, I wouldn’t be pulling out quotes with statements like that

 

Next time Joselu misses a good chance and the match thread + this thread get filled with comments about how Haaland would unquestionably have buried it and scored another 4-5, keep some perspective:

https://dubz.co/v/1ncxc1

https://cazn.me/m/b13061

 

🚨🌕| Real Madrid will make a SERIOUS offer to Kylian Mbappé in 2024. The decision has been MADE. @MatteMoretto #rmalive pic.twitter.com/kVWvoCKTAp

— Madrid Zone (@theMadridZone) December 3, 2023

 

In the summer? Well no duh if his contract expires.

 

Let's not compare Haaland and Joselu

 

To be fair we’ve seen CR7 miss those types of chances. Thing is with Joselu it is kinda the default whereas with Haaland it would be the exception. That being said…I do find him very limited as a player. Much more a fan of the Benzema type strikers who offer much more.

 

You're literally replying to your own quotes at this point, Stawberry

Mods should have banned you after your "Mbappe is coming, the Sheikh has spoken, fuc* whoever says otherwise" BS all summer long. There was an agreement on this IIRC.

 

I wouldn't put Haaland in the same sentence as Joselu tbh.

It's not about Joselu's misses –because all strikers miss– but how he misses them. I called him a segunda-tier striker yesterday after I re-watched a lot of his missed opportunities this season, the man almost exclusively takes his 1v1 shots directly at the GK, very very rarely does he go for the far side even if it's open, even worse he keeps on doing that one chance after another. That's what makes him an bloody mediocre CF: scores 1 every 10-12 chances because of his poor targeting. And Perez is reportedly impressed, I bet because he'll only cost €1.5mil.

 

BREAKING..things are happening..Ojo..tick tack.. here we go..key days ahead..in Valdebebas they say..

 

My point seems to have been missed -- obviously I'm not equating Joselu with Haaland, was just a reminder how ALL strikers miss easy chances, even ones with a reputation for being prolific, efficient scorers in the box, which posters here often seem to forget.