Real Madrid: Who will replace Toni Kroos?

• Toni Kroos, who had a stellar career at Real Madrid, is scheduled to retire from game in the summer.
• Before retiring, the German international will compete for his country in Euro 2024, which is being held in his home country.
• We look at players of same caliber of quality that Real Madrid can look at.

Toni Kroos, who had a stellar career at Real Madrid, is scheduled to retire from game in the summer.

Before retiring, the German international will compete for his country in Euro 2024, which is being held in his home country.

We look at players of same caliber of quality that Real Madrid can look at.

Martin Zubimendi

Exequiel Palacios. Photo/ FC Barcelona Noticia

Martin Zubimendi might be a more local choice. The midfielder, who was a crucial member of Real Sociedad’s team that advanced to the Round of 16 of the Champions League this year, is anticipated to have his €60 million (£51.5 million) release clause triggered in the summer.

The 25-year-old, who has five caps for the Spanish national side since his debut in 2021, has been strongly linked to Barcelona and Arsenal. The foundation of Zubimendi’s game is his poise, knowledge of his surroundings, and ability to pivot away from pressure like he had wing mirrors.

Given his clear release clause, domestic status, and La Liga experience, he seems like a smart addition to Real Madrid, a team that has eschewed the big-name acquisitions of previous administrations in favor of long-term strategy.

Joshua Kimmich

Joshua Kimmich. Photo/Premier league

Joshua Kimmich’s future seems uncertain as rumors circulate that the German player may search for a new challenge come summertime. Over the last ten years, the 29-year-old has personified Bayern Munich’s unwavering standards, winning a plethora of significant awards including eight Bundesliga championships, four German Cups, and the Champions League.

Kimmich has long played a similar conducting role for club and country, but with a more confrontational demeanor than his colleague. He is in the 98th percentile for completed passes and progressive passes, in the 97th percentile for critical passes, and in the 99th percentile for crosses per ninety minutes among midfielders in the top five leagues in Europe.

This summer, Kimmich will play his final 12 months at the Allianz Arena, and his future will need to be decided. Should fresh terms not be reached, Bayern will be reluctant to lose such a significant player as a free agent, which might lead to a sale.

Exequiel Palacios

Exequiel Palacios will be a great replacement for Kroos. Photo/ Goal

This season, Xabi Alonso’s daring Bayer Leverkusen team captured the attention of Europe by winning the Bundesliga title for the first time ever.

Leverkusen leads the league in average possession (61.9%) and is second only to Bayern Munich in terms of shots per game and xG thanks to the Spaniard’s outstanding football management at the BayArena.

Only Aleksandar Pavlovic among Bundesliga midfielders has surpassed Exequiel Palacios’ 92.1% pass accuracy, making him a vital component in the midfield for the recently crowned German champions. In addition, the Argentine ranks fourth in the league for passes into the final third, seventh for successful takeaways (87%) and sixth for fouls committed.

Rodri

The two biggest players in Spanish football have stood by while Rodri has developed into the best defensive midfielder in the world of football outside of his native country. Rodri’s tenures at Villarreal and Atletico Madrid preceded his £62 million transfer to Manchester City in 2019, where he has since thrived under Pep Guardiola’s tutelage at the Etihad.

As City concluded their quest for European glory last season, he was voted Champions League Player of the Season. An essential member of the Citizens squad, he has won three Premier League crowns, three domestic cups.

The greatest illustration of his impact on this team is the fact that his undefeated run in 90 minutes has now spanned 15 months and more than 70 games. This season, he has produced career-best stats with seven goals and nine assists, leading the Premier League in touches, passes into the final half third, and progressive passes.

But getting him signed will be a challenge. While other Premier League teams have found it difficult to hang onto their best players, Manchester City has managed to do so in the face of demand from the biggest names in Spanish football.