Real Madrid midfielder Toni Kroos has taken to La Liga like a duck to water.
Manchester United were strongly linked with Toni Kroos in the summer transfer window before Real Madrid swooped in and signed the Germany international from Bayern Munich for a reported fee of £20 million.
And United and Bayern’s loss has been Madrid’s gain.
Despite doubts on whether Madrid actually needed him and on his exact position in Carlo Ancelotti’s starting line-up, Kroos has been in brilliant form so far this season.
The 2014 World Cup winner did not start the 2014-15 campaign in great form, as defeats to Real Sociedad and Atletico Madrid raised concerns whether he can replace Xabi Alonso in the holding midfield role.
A ‘complete’ midfielder with a propensity to attack, Kroos has since regained his confidence and was brilliant in matches against FC Basel, Deportivo La Coruna and Athletic Bilbao – he actually got a standing ovation from the Santiago Bernabeu faithful when he was substituted against the Basque giants.
Doubts still remain on whether Kroos can adapt and become more of a Alonso-esque player, but he has already established himself as the best passer of the ball in La Liga.
Kroos has the most impressive pass completion rate (92.61%) of all the players in La Liga to have played more than four games. That’s pretty great for a player who has just arrived in Spain after a hectic summer and playing in a new-look team.
It’s not just in passing that Kroos has been brilliant, it’s in other areas as well. He has won 70% of his tackles, provided three assists, created 15 chances and has made five interceptions.
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