Real Madrid: Ranking the top 10 players before 2019-2020 resumes

4. Real Madrid CM Toni Kroos

It’s so easy to underrated Toni Kroos’ individual brilliance and overall team importance to Real Madrid, but Madridistas understand that Kroos is a generational talent in the middle of the park who remains as good as ever.

The 30-year-old averaged more key passes per game in the Champions League group stages than anyone else, per WhoScored.com, and he picked up three goals and five assists in La Liga. Kroos played a variety of roles to a world-class level, whether it was a more attacking role as a No. 10-type player or a holding role as a No. 8-type ticking the game over.

While Kroos lacks speed and isn’t a true defensive midfielder, he does defend well. Kroos accomplishes this defending by pressing and recovering the ball in the opposition half. He recorded a solid 1.6 tackles and 0.7 interceptions per game in 2019-2020.

Kroos is arguably the best passer in the word. He makes smart, accurate passes to keep possession but also makes great passes into the final third to set up attacking opportunities. The consistency and key passes don’t lie; Kroos is more than just someone who passes the ball sideways. Saying that is a complete misrepresentation of his value and quality.