Overview
- Davide Ancelotti told AS, and Goal reported on Saturday, Oct. 3, 2026, that Kroos was "the master of the game" who dictated tempo and that his mix of passing, tactical reading and work-rate made him effectively irreplaceable.
- Ancelotti highlighted Kroos’s unusual blend of skills, saying Kroos could both defend and run about 11 kilometres per match while directing play from a deep role.
- He said Real Madrid’s current midfield of players such as Camavinga, Valverde, Tchouaméni, Bellingham and Güler offers more vertical running and athleticism but lacks a natural distributor who consistently picks out forward runs.
- When asked about solutions, Ancelotti named Rodri as the only player he views as an ideal fit, and he warned that the club may need to either target a specific profile in transfers or change its tactical blueprint.
- Ancelotti tied Kroos’s exit to wider instability at the club, noting multiple coaching changes since Carlo Ancelotti left and a two-season run without a major trophy that has intensified questions about Real Madrid’s midfield identity.