Real Madrid midfielder Toni Kroos has said that new signing Arda Guler has impressed him a lot, adding that he is the kind of player that makes one question a lot of things.
Madrid signed Guler from Fenerbahce after agreeing to pay more than his release clause. The youngster signed for the club from the capital city for a feeɾєρօɾτed to be around €20 million.
Clips of Guler getting better of hisReal Madridteammates in training have already stormed the internet but the 18-year-old is yet to make an appearance for his new team.
All this, though, has impressed veteran midfielder Toni Kroos who has nothing but admiration for the young player.
“He’s one of the talents who ask ‘How do you do that? How did you pass like that?’ he is someone who wants tips, there are a lot of 18-year-olds who already think they’re too good and they don’t need tips. But he has the mentality to learn,”said the midfielder in his podcastEinfach mal Luppen(h/tReal Total).
The former Germany international went on to add that at his age, Guler is exceptionally talented, hailing his technical awareness and his ability on his left foot.
“You really have to say that he is a great talent for his age. He has a very, very fine left foot. You will see that often. He has a great left-footed shot and is technically exceptionally good, especially in tight spaces. I think that’s a very good and smart transfer – especially for the future, of course,”he explained.
At the same time, the experienced midfielder said that managing such young talent is of extreme importance, especially since the players are now judged based on their price tags.
“He definitely brings a lot to be successful here. Yes. On the other hand, you have to be a bit careful with big announcements, they’ve been around a lot and have been less fulfilled by others. In this club, in particular, other questions decide whether someone is successful. It’s not just a talent, a technique, or a shot,”he said.
At the same time, Kroos praised the youngster for being someone”who is very open to tips, looks and asks a lot. That’s always a very positive sign.”
“There are often 17 or 18-year-olds who think how good they are and don’t need any more advice. That’s not the case in this case, that’s a really good quality. There are good conditions there,”he added.
Kroos is now on the wrong side of his 30s and since he has already retired from national team duties, questions about his future are bound to be raised. The 33-year-old, however, knows how to handle these.
“How strong are you physically? How do I Ԁєɑł with setbacks? How prone to ιɴjυɾу am I? How do I Ԁєɑł with the pressure that prevails at a club like this? How assertive am I in terms of personality to assert myself in a team like this?These are all questions that cannot yet be answered at all. That’s why I’m careful with superlatives,”he said.
Considering the number of players Carlo Ancelotti now has in midfield, the Italian is likely to make a few changes in his approach. In that regard, a 4-1-2-1-2 formation isbeing tried out by the manager in pre-season, in the hope that it can get the best out of talents like Guler and Jude Bellingham.
Speaking about the aspect, Kroos said,”I don’t know exactly, but I guess we don’t practice it for fun. Logically, there is a ρłɑɴ behind it. It is good to have an option apart from the 4-3-3.
“That’s the system that we’ve practiced a bit since the start of training and are now trying to bring that onto the pitch at a competition level. And then let’s see how it works. Whether that’s the system we start the season with or use it here and there, we’ll see. I don’t think anyone really knows.”
