He is a total midfielder — Real Madrid told perfect replacement for Toni Kroos

Real Madrid's midfield has not been the same since Toni Kroos's retirement, as his controlling presence in the middle of the park has been sorely missed. 

A dominant part of the conversation after every poor result last season was centred around the German and how they have failed to replace his qualities adequately. Belgian analyst Filip Joos suggests that would not be the case had they signed Youri Tielemans. 

During a conversation on Play Sports, a Belgian outlet, Joos threw Tielemans’s name in the ring, highlighting his qualities as the right profile to fill the Kroos-shaped hole in Los Blancos’s midfield. 

“I keep saying it: if Real Madrid had signed him (Tielemans) when Toni Kroos left, a lot would have been resolved,” he said, per Voetbal Nieuws. 

“I think he’s a fantastic player. What strikes me every time is how much he can do, how much power he has. Not just in going deep, but also in defending. He’s become a total midfielder."

Tielemans has been a top midfielder in the Premier League since he joined Leicester City from Monaco. The 28-year-old currently plies his trade for Aston Villa, and his market value is estimated to be around €38 million.