The Real Madrid player who would benefit the most from a Kylian Mbappe transfer

There is no doubt that every player on Real Madrid would benefit from playing with Kylian Mbappe. The PSG superstar is fully expected to join Los Blancos in the summer 2022 transfer window on a free transfer, and he would undoubtedly transform this team. Even with Vinicius Junior breaking out into a superstar in his own right, Mbappe would be an important, necessary signing for this club.

But if there is one player who would benefit the most from Mbappe joining, then it is center midfielder Toni Kroos. Yes, even moreso than Karim Benzema.

The rapport Benzema and Mbappe have is well-known and was readily observed in France’s UEFA Nations League triumph, Who can forget how Benzema gave Mbappe a confidence-boosting penalty that the future Real Madrid No. 7 converted?

From a pure footballing perspective, though, Kroos would benefit the most. And my goodness, how the best passer in the world has deserved the opportunity to play with a player of Mbappe’s profile in 2022 and beyond.

Kylian Mbappe would be a different kind of forward for Toni Kroos

Kroos has been outstanding since returning from pubalgia. He has picked up where he left off from his sensational 2021-2022 campaign with multiple key passes in each of his last four LaLiga matchups. His pass completion percentage has never dipped below 93 percent in the league or 91 percent in the Champions League, and he has hit double-digit long balls twice.

Imagine Kroos getting to play with Mbappe. He could send passes from deep and hit Mbappe in transition. Kroos has never been better at passing than now at the age of 31, and Mbappe would be the best possible player in the world to latch onto these chances with his understanding off the ball and, yes, his pace in transition.

There are so many times where Kroos is waiting for someone to make a move and take on the initiative off the ball. Benzema and Vinicius are incredible players, but their strengths are with the ball at their feet. The No. 9 is brilliant at moving off the ball into space but does not have the speed to stretch defenses, while Vinicius isn’t quite as polished yet at Mbappe and does not have the same instinct for going for goal opportunities in the box when he’s off the ball.

Mbappe is a different kind of player with his profile and his mentality. And he truly does suit Kroos perfectly. Kroos has always been about more than the assists, but he is fully capable of racking up assists in this deep playmaking role with the exact right forward. Mbappe is that guy.

With more assists, Kroos may finally get the mainstream recognition that has eluded him, as his critics consistently underrate him by trying to besmirch him as a sidepasser. He is so much more than that. The spotlight and qualities Mbappe bring would highlight Kroos a lot more. Kroos has a few more years of excellence left in him, and it would be incredible to watch him spend that time working with Mbappe as part of a new-look, exciting attacking group at the Bernabeu.