Toni Kroos and Luka Modric have been fantastic servants for Real Madrid throughout the years.
Luka Modric of Croatia and Toni Kroos of Germany have been tremendous servants for Real Madrid throughout the years. Real Madrid has won three La Liga titles and four UEFA Champions League crowns with Modric and Kroos at the heart of their midfield, three of which were won consecutively from 2016 to 2018. However, Modric (37) and Kroos (33) aren’t getting any younger, and there has been a noticeable drop in their form over the previous several seasons.
As Real Madrid prepares for their first-leg winners League quarterfinals match against Chelsea, former Barcelona player Jofre Mateu believes Modric and Kroos can still perform admirably for the 14-time winners.
“This ageing player discussion began three years ago in Madrid. They’ve won two league crowns and one Champions League since then. They’re in a period of change. Modric and Kroos are unable to play the entire 90-minute game. Both, though, are committed in the game and have demonstrated their ability to play. “I believe Real Madrid is ready because of their experience,” Mateu told NDTV during a Sony Sports Network-organized session.
Chelsea striker Kai Havertz has been chastised for failing to score this season. In 39 appearances in all competitions, the German has only scored nine goals.
Havertz, who has played as a makeshift striker this season, failed to register a shot in Chelsea’s 0-1 Premier League loss to Wolverhampton Wanderers on Saturday.
Mateu endorsed Havertz to lead the line when asked if Chelsea should replace him up top with Atletico Madrid loanee Joao Felix. Mateu backed up his comments by claiming that Felix will be more successful as a playmaker.
Mateu, who rose through the ranks at Barcelona’s La Masia program, believes Havertz will succeed.
“Perhaps yes! When you don’t get any results, you look for alternative options. But, in my opinion, Havertz is the man on top. Joao Felix can provide you with statistics, but I regard him as an offensive midfielder rather than a forward. He can score, but he won’t put up the stats that other elite forwards do. As a result, I believe it must be Havertz or someone else,” he added.
