Real Madrid have gained Kylian Mbappe and Endrick Felipe this summer, but there is little doubt that they will still feel the loss of Toni Kroos. The German midfielder retired after Euro 2024, and there is arguably no-one in the world that can provide the control and precision he can.
In terms of minutes, it seems likely there are more for Fede Valverde in the middle of the pitch, and for Luka Modric throughout the season. It has also left Los Blancos without a set-piece taker for corners and free-kicks, with Kroos monopolising those duties for a number of years. Marca have highlighted that five players could be trusted with the dead-ball situations next season.
The most likely is Modric, although again, there is no certainty on how often he will be on the pitch. Defender David Alaba takes set-pieces for Austria, albeit he will not be available until the winter. Another option is Fede Valverde, who has a thumping right-foot he can put to the task too.
Jude Bellingham is also mentioned, although it would be a surprise to see him on the other end of set pieces, and Arda Guler is perhaps the most interesting option. The Turkish wonderkid was highly effective at Euro 2024, and has an excellent delivery. He could be a solution, but is unlikely to be a starter. Of course for direct free-kicks, it would be no surprise to see Mbappe competing for the ball too.
The European champions have plenty of aerial threat in Dani Carvajal, Antonio Rudiger and Eder Militao, on top of Bellingham, and being able to count on Kroos’ trigonomic use of the ball was a major part of their threat. Carlo Ancelotti and company will no doubt dedicate some attention to it in preseason, and it will be seen early on what Davide Ancelotti and Francesco Mauri come up with.
Image via Oscar J. Barroso / AFP7 / Europa Press
