Xabi Alonso's move to Bayern Munich this week was viewed as essential based only on the former Spain international's age. He turns 33 in November and it is clear that Real Madrid are moving in a different direction with the nucleus of their squad.
The sale of Angel Di Maria has been followed by the departure of Alonso, who had said he would only leave Real Madrid if he felt unhappy at the club that he had spent the last five years. That time has arrived and he follows Pep Guardiola to Bayern Munich in a deal said to be worth €10m.
The problem herein does not lie in the purchase of Kroos. Kroos proved himself an excellent option as a regista with Bayern last year and can pass the ball with precision like few others. The problem lies in the fact that Real Madrid are shaking the very foundation of a team that won the Champions League last year, with Alonso at the heart of it.
No player made more passes per 90 minutes in La Liga last year and he was an integral part of the side that got Madrid to the final of the Champions League, only to miss out on the final due to suspension.
Madrid have a notoriously ill-disciplined squad and the likes of Pepe, Sergio Ramos et al need a player such as Alonso to steady the ship. Alonso is the personification of calmness and these leadership qualities cannot be replaced with a big money summer signing. When el Clasico comes rolling around and Alonso is not there to act as a calming influence, his presence will be sorely missed.
Asier Illarramendi was supposed to eventually replace Alonso but that seems like it won't happen this year as reports claim he could move on loan to Athletic Bilbao before the transfer window closes. Alonso is quite difficult to replace as has the rare ability to merge defensive stability with the passing range to launch counter-attacks with a 60-yard ball over the top or keep the ball on the ground and build slower if the move is not on.
If anyone was going to replace Alonso then Kroos might be the man but the Germany international hasn’t proven himself as a leader of men like Alonso has. Likewise, he has never played as defensive as Carlo Ancelotti and Real Madrid might need during the season.
We have seen this kind of thing happen before with Madrid – where the tried and tested get shunted out the door for the new and expensive.
