Toni Kroos is playing the best football of his Real Madrid career

‘Right now he is a diesel tractor, not an Audi’ were the words of Bernd Schuster during Real Madrid’s 18/19 disaster season. Following a shaky start to this campaign and questions about how much he had left in the tank, Toni Kroos has been reborn.

Toni Kroos’ quality throughout his career is unquestionable. One of the very best in the world in midfield, the German has nearly won every possible trophy. Yet Real Madrid’s core stars have seen their hunger to win questioned in the last year – Kroos included.

After Real Madrid’s humiliating defeat to PSG earlier this season, Toni Kroos was one player that received more criticism than most. The former Bayern man seemed out of his depth as he drowned in the waves of PSG’s attacks.

However, since that abysmal showing in Paris, Kroos has bounced back in emphatic fashion. Alongside his already impressive passing ability, the midfielder has upped his pressing and work-rate – beyond any expectations Madrid fans had. With this exceptional turn of form, the player’s stats make for incredible reading.

His passing range has been heralded as one of the best in Europe. However, the World Cup winner is putting up figures better than ever before for Real Madrid. The midfielder currently leads the chances created department in La Liga, creating more than any other player, he is also amongst the top chance creators in the Champions League too.

Alongside his chance creation, Kroos is taking more shots this season than he has during any other season so far. The German international is averaging 2.3 shots per 90 this season. Whilst he has only two goals in all competitions, he is giving Real another option that they have lacked in recent seasons. In line with his increased shot volume, the German is currently averaging 0.24 goals per 90, another career best at Real Madrid, over double his previous best strike rate.

When it comes to his key passes per 90 figure, Kroos once again shines brighter than all. The midfield maestro is playing on 3.95 key passes per 90 in La Liga – his best rate since joining Real – and he averages 3.8 key passes per 90 in all competitions. In this aspect, no player in Real’s squad comes close to matching the German’s key passing numbers; Marcelo is the closest with 2.5 per 90.

The improved figures don’t stop just there though. Kroos is also contributing to the team defensively. He is currently averaging 7.13 recoveries of the ball per 90 (2.6 in the opposing half), which is the second best average behind midfield destroyer Casemiro. Kroos is also winning 4.16 of his defensive duels on average this season, once again, only behind Casemiro.

Having stepped up his all round game this season, Kroos has become more integral than ever to Real’s engine room. His passing game is irreplaceable for Real, with no player coming close to the German’s distribution and tempo-controlling ability. This coupled with his improved work ethic has been huge for Real in a lot of games this season.

His pressing against Sevilla enabled the team to maintain control of proceedings. Even in the game against Galatasaray, his influence was vital. The 90% passing accuracy with four key passes was vital, the four tackles made were key to controlling in the middle, and of course, he scored the game’s only goal.