Would Real Madrid's Toni Kroos be a good signing for Man City?
Cameron Smith
- 24 Oct 2021 09:01 BST
- 4 min read
Toni Kroos has been a Real Madrid stalwart ever since he joined the club from Bayern Munich in the summer of 2014.
The German international has been a consistent performer for Los Blancos during that time, forming a formidable midfield trio with Luka Modric and Casemiro, while also winning three Champions League trophies.
However, he is now 31, and although a turn of pace has never been a real asset of his game, he is slowing down.
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Still one of the world's best midfielders in terms of dictating play, Kroos' ability to unlock defences from deep is unquestionable, but the emergence of Federico Valverde, as well as the signing of French youngster Eduardo Camavinga in 2021, has reduced his game time at the Santiago Bernabeu.
His 24 league starts last season was his lowest ever in a Real Madrid shirt, and injury at the start of the 2021/22 season has reduced his time of the pitch even more; just 62 La Liga minutes have been racked up by Kroos so far this term.
Camavinga has already shown why he has been hyped up so much, and with a more dynamic midfield, in terms of ability to cover ground, chosen by Carlo Ancelotti, Kroos has been forced onto the sidelines.
That has sparked exit rumours, and with his contract expiring in 2023, as well as his age ticking towards 32, one last big transfer could be on the cards before the German retires.
According to El Nacional, the team most heavily interested in Kroos is actually Manchester City. They have reported that Pep Guardiola is keen to reunite with Kroos after spending just one season with the player at Bayern.
If Kroos continues to be overlooked by Real Madrid, then City are expected to make a move, but would it be a good signing?
Would Kroos suit Man City?
With Guardiola's preference of a central midfielder who is always open to receive the ball and comfortable when on it, Kroos would fit that requirement to a tee.
There are few players in world football as elegant and smooth with the ball at their feet than Kroos, and with Rodri protecting, he would have licence to dictate the play.
However, it's far from a perfect fit. In Guardiola's 4-3-3, Kroos would have to be deployed as a No.8, but his somewhat languid style is completely opposed to the likes of Bernardo Silva, who is all-action in the middle of the park.
Saying that, Ilkay Gundogan is a comparable player to Kroos, and he has excelled under Guardiola. Gundogan is completely a minimal amount of defensive work, and his pressures per 90 over the past 12 months ranks in the worst 1% of central midfielders in the entirety of Europe's top five leagues; Kroos certainly couldn't do worse in that regard.
So, Kroos wouldn't be the worse option for Man City. The only problem is that he is past his very best, and if he can't get a game for Real Madrid at current, he most likely wouldn't for City.
The big question remains over whether he has the pace to compete in the Premier League; City keep the ball more often than not, so that suits Kroos, but what doesn't suit him is chasing a counter-attack, which is something City face on a regular basis, due to having the ball.
With Gundogan, Bernardo Silva, Kevin de Bruyne, Rodri, Fernandinho, Phil Foden and Jack Grealish all capable of playing in Guardiola's midfield three, Kroos is far from needed, but he could be a necessary experienced head to help them get over the line in regards to Champions League triumph.
