Manchester City’s record-breaking run in the domestic league last season has now made City one of the strongest teams in Europe. They will be an attractive proposition for top class players looking at new clubs and this has seen the club linked with a number of big names for a move this summer.
One such player now on their radar is Toni Kroos.
Kroos Wanted As Alternative For Jorginho:
One of the most decorated midfielders in modern football, Toni Kroos has been the heartbeat of the Real Madrid side, that won three UCL titles on the trot. Manchester City are desperate to improve options in their midfield and have been looking at Napoli’s Jorginho for a while now.
But they seem to be struggling to get the deal over the line and reports in Spain now suggest that they have turned their attention towards Toni Kroos. He currently has a €300m release clause and Real Madrid have no reason to sell. But Don Balon, a Spanish news outfit claim that City have made an offer for Kroos for a move this summer. So is he a player Pep Guardiola can sign?
Kroos And His Achievements:
A gifted midfielder with great technique and understanding of the game, Kroos has won almost everything a footballer can win in his career. At just 28, he has the World Cup, the Champions League, league titles in Germany and Spain and many other individual awards, but is yet to hit his peak.
He has a good three years of his best game left in his legs and was one of the first names on the team sheet for Zinedine Zidane last season. Alongside Casemiro and Luka Modric, he added balance to the Real Madrid midfield, providing creativity when needed and adding numbers to the backline, to defend tender leads.
He is an all-round footballer and is one of the very few players who can improve an already impressive squad at Etihad.
Can City Really Land Him?
As already mentioned, Real Madrid have no real need to sell Kroos, who is settled at the Bernabeu. He might be tempted to move to England for a new challenge but will only do so for a first-team spot. He can certainly win titles at Etihad and will be a mainstay in Pep Guardiola’s squad, which lacks depth in the midfield area.
Fernandinho played as the deepest of the midfielders last season while David Silva and Kevin de Bruyne were unstoppable in the other two midfield roles. Kroos can play a similar role as that of the Brazilian and will add fluidity to the side.
He fits into Pep’s system pretty well, and is a born winner, and will only make Manchester City stronger. Florentino Perez cannot be bullied into selling so Kroos will only be available if he decides to let go. City might not be able to meet his release clause so it will be important for the club’s entourage to first convince the player and then the club, to sell.
He is a hard player to replace so the Spanish giants will not be ready to let go, so it is best for City to invest more time in getting Jorginho to England.
Stats Courtesy: Whoscored