Toni Kroos speaks clearly about one of Xabi Alonso's favorites and sends a message to the coach

Xabi Alonso's arrival was meant to bring many changes to the first team. The end of Carlo Ancelotti's second spell left bad feelings and results, a negative dynamic that was desired to be reversed with the tactical leadership of the Tolosa coach. It seemed that way until the heavy defeat against PSG in the semifinals of the Club World Cup.

Despite the severity of that defeat, Valdebebas's offices keep calm. Instead of looking toward the home bench at Santiago Bernabéu, the focus is now on the locker room. The board is ready to support, without hesitation, every decision the new merengue coach makes: they understand these are necessary measures to get back on the winning track.

One of the changes made by Xabi Alonso has given great prominence to a young prospect who, until now, was more than used to staying on the bench: Arda Güler. The sudden responsibility that the Turkish number "15" has taken on, as one of those in charge of creating play and controlling the match from the starting eleven, doesn't go unnoticed by anyone.

On the podcast he keeps with his brother, "Einfach mal Luppen", Toni Kroos breaks down the radical change the Altindag midfielder has faced in just one month. "If you have a player like him to play between the lines, I'm in favor of turning a blind eye if he loses a duel", he says about Güler's defensive shortcomings as a pivot.

Heading in the right direction

This is not the only comment the former Real Madrid holding midfielder has to make about his former teammate. Toni Kroos's retirement in the summer of 2024 left a significant void in the sporting plan that, for now, only Arda Güler himself is able to fill with guarantees. The key to this change led by the Turk is that "last season he was already ready in football terms, but he has also taken a step forward physically".

He also commented on what happened at MetLife Stadium, a heavy defeat against PSG that is causing all kinds of rumors in the days following that match to forget. "Having the feeling that you defend together brings a lot to the team", Toni Kroos warns, recalling the defensive problems experienced throughout the entire 24/25 season. Even in the Club World Cup, those shortcomings have appeared.

With a compact block, Toni Kroos argues, "you have more energy when you win the ball back. If you don't, you're always running after the ball or you feel like you can't press or drop back", the former Real Madrid midfielder concludes. Despite the difficulties encountered so far, the former German player makes it clear: he trusts Xabi Alonso.

"I know he's going to convey a clear idea; if they defend better, they'll also be able to attack better", he predicts, full of excitement for the "new" Real Madrid in development and preparation. Toni Kroos crowns, albeit in different ways, Fede Valverde and Arda Güler as his heirs. The Uruguayan midfielder receives the number and the responsibility of the captaincy, while the Turkish prospect is left with the assignment of being the team's "brain" on the field.