Real Madrid’s new plan with Bellingham and Arda Guler following veteran retirement | OneFootball

Real Madrid have a huge problem on their hands as Toni Kroos has announced his retirement from football following the 2024 European Championship in Germany in the summer.

The German has always been clear about his intention to hang up his boots early. Now 34, and still one of the best midfielders in the world, if not the best, Kroos has decided to go out while still on top.

However, this means that Madrid’s midfield planning for next season now needs reconsideration.

And as per a report by AS, Madrid have prepared majorly a two-point long-term plan to combat Kroos’ retirement.

Jude deep, Guler high

The report suggests that Madrid are planning to make two major changes to their side in the mid to long term to work around Kroos’ absence in the team.

This would be playing Jude Bellingham in a deeper role in midfield, while Arda Guler operates higher up the pitch.

The former has played in midfield threes and even in a double pivot previously – for Borussia Dortmund and England, and has exceedingly well lower down the pitch. He is able to link the midfield with the attack, and also does well while making third-man runs.

As for Guler, the Turk is an attacking midfielder-cum-right winger by trade, and has already shown, in limited minutes, that he can make a difference on the scoresheet immediately.

Among the goals already. (Photo by JOSE JORDAN/AFP via Getty Images)

Immediate solutions

While Guler will almost definitely adapt to a long-term offensive role in the team, he may not get minutes immediately next season, especially as Madrid prepare for Kylian Mbappe’s arrival.

As such, it is more likely that Carlo Ancelotti pushes Madrid to renew Luka Modric, while using Jude Bellingham, Aurelien Tchouameni, Eduardo Camavinga, and Federico Valverde as part of their midfield three.

Nico Paz is also expected to feature in the first-team more regularly, especially if Dani Ceballos leaves the club.

But it should not be ruled out that Madrid go after another name in the summer to replace Kroos, at least in the short-term.