Real Madrid News
Legendary Real Madrid midfielder will step aside ‘when his importance decreases’
Toni Kroos has been among the best midfielders in the world for more than a decade now, but the second half of last season proved that he is no longer indispensable for Real Madrid.
Eduardo Camavinga and Federico Valverde are on the verge of breaking through the first team and were arguably more critical for Carlo Ancelotti during their run to the Champions League title.
In what could be good news for the duo, AS have reported that Kroos will wait before extending his contract, which runs until the summer of 2023. He would be willing to step aside if he feels his importance is decreasing in the team.
The German midfielder has already retired from the national team, and it will not be particularly surprising should he decide to retire by next year.
It does give him a significant advantage over his midfield competitors as they will be competing in the World Cup this year, putting significant physical strain on their bodies in what is a long season.
The 32-year-old played 28 games in the league last season, scoring one goal and setting up three more. While his performances took a significant drop during the second half of the campaign, he has looked sharp during pre-season, especially against Juventus.
He will have to mirror that display through the 2022/23 season in order to protect his spot in what Ancelotti has referred to as the ‘Bermuda Triangle’.
Kroos has assured Madrid fans in the past that he wants to retire wearing Real’s kit, but this season could be the beginning of the end for the midfielder.
Arda Guler’s Real Madrid stint has not gotten off to the start he would have hoped to have given the expectation that preceded the transfer.
Having joined in the summer after Real Madrid outbid their competition to win him over from Fenerbahce for a 20-million-euro fee, buzz was high as the winger was expected to slot into the team quite seamlessly, albeit on a rotational basis.
Unfortunately for the 18-year-old, he has been constantly marred by injuries since completing the move.
Reports have stated that after Guler picked up his third injury since his move, Real Madrid have been concerned and want to take things slow with the player to ensure he is fit as soon as possible after an injury to his quadriceps this time.
The Turk is yet to make his competitive debut for the club, and Real Madrid even sacked their medical chief in November, in light of their injury crises since the beginning of the season.
No loan deal for Guler
However, according to Fabrizio Romano in a recent YouTube video, he states that Madrid maintain full trust and patience in the youngster.
Despite his bad luck with injuries, the latest of which he is scheduled to return from after Christmas, the Galacticos have no intention of loaning out Guler to Turkish clubs despite lots of speculation of them doing so of late.
Romano states that Madrid remain firm on not shaking things up too much with the squad, and they want to keep their roster stable, including Arda Guler.
They want to extend their full support and protection to the player as he aims to return to full fitness and finally make his bow for Madrid either by the end of this month or in 2024.
