Real Madrid: 3 players who would benefit most from a Cristiano Ronaldo transfer

CM Toni Kroos

Toni Kroos is the best passer in the world. The numbers speak for themselves. He is completing about 94 percent of his passes, per WhoScored.com, despite the fact that he has 2.5 key passes per game and the most long balls attempted per game (8.7) of any outfield player in Europe’s top five leagues. And it’s not even close.

At 31 years old, Kroos is at the peak of his powers. Yes, he is over the age of 30, but he is entering the best years of his career. His intelligence, command of the pitch, and knowledge of his skill-set and body are at a level they have never been. Kroos takes care of himself off the pitch, but on the pitch, he was never known as a top athlete in terms of pace or agility. So his peak is now.

Bayern’s greatest regret has eight assists in La Liga this season, but, looking at his overall passing statistics, you’d actually bet on him to have more. Unfortunately, Real’s sub-standard play from the wingers has hurt Kroos’ creative output, in the same way it has affected Karim Benzema. Honestly, the impact has been more profound on Kroos.

There are so many times when Kroos is ready to pounce and deliver a precision ball over the top, but there is nobody making a run. Nobody is making a run in behind, so Kroos has the ball between the lines and is ready to deliver a Martin Odegaard-esque through ball, but the wingers are acting as if they do not want to take the initiative without the ball.

Ronaldo always takes the initiative. He knows this game, he knows all the subtleties to “running routes” off the ball, and he can be a scary goal-scoring target for this unstoppable 2021 version of Toni Kroos.