Both share blonde hair, wear the number ‘8’ for Real Madrid, and play in midfield, yet a glance at their playing styles reveals that Fede Valverde and Toni Kroos have almost nothing in common on the pitch. These two distinct styles have coexisted for years in the white midfield, but the German’s absence has compelled the Uruguayan to take on his responsibilities.
Kroos passed on his number and his influence in the dressing room, but their differing qualities made it hard to assume Valverde could also inherit his role in the team. Nonetheless, the lack of creative profiles within the squad has left Valverde as the man tasked with making the Madrid engine run, effectively stepping into the shoes of the now-retired German midfielder.
This change is particularly evident in his statistics, which have improved in nearly every aspect. He averages 63.3 passes per game, up by four from last season and by twelve from two seasons ago. He is also making more progressive passes, moving from 7.15 to 7.61 per match. His accuracy has climbed as well; completing 91.3% of his attempted passes, surpassing the 89.8% of the 23/24 season. He has become a reliability in the midfield.
His teammates are seeking him out more frequently, evidenced by the increase in the number of touches he makes, now nearly 80 per game. However, these numbers do not alter his style, as the Charrúa remains that dynamic midfielder who bursts forward with the ball whenever possible.
One of Kroos’ most characteristic traits was his long passes that could switch the game’s orientation in seconds. Valverde has dramatically improved in this area as well. Not only is he making more passes of 30 meters or more, but his success rate has skyrocketed as well. From 68.1% last season, he has risen to an impressive 81.7%, exceeding the maestro’s own 76%. The Madrid orchestra demands a conductor, and for now, it is Valverde who has taken the baton.
Looking at the numbers and statistics, no one can deny that Valverde has gained prominence in the team’s play and improved as an organizing midfielder. Yet he still falls far short of the German’s legacy. In fact, with each poor performance from Real Madrid, Kroos’ figure looms again as a possible solution, as his ability to build play from the back is something neither Fede nor any other player in the world can match.
While the Uruguayan completes more passes and touches the ball more often, he remains distant from his former teammate’s impressive figures. Valverde is in contact with the ball 79.8 times per match, yet this is still a considerable way off from Kroos’ 112.5. Similarly, his 63.3 passes per match do not compare to Kroos’ 97.
This difference becomes even more pronounced in the final third. The former white ‘8’, for nearly a decade, posed a real threat to opponents. In the last third, he averaged almost 14 passes per game (compared to Valverde’s 7.84). This figure, combined with key passes, shots leading to attempts, and assists, explains why Real Madrid’s forwards have had fewer chances.
Valverde is having a fantastic start to the season, perhaps the best of his career, but it is unrealistic to expect him to replicate Kroos’ impact. Fede can dye his hair, wear the same number, or even lace up his boots, but their styles remain entirely different. Still, the Charrúa is turning into what he once dreamed of becoming, and in the absence of his idol, he is continuing to grow into the leader of Real Madrid’s midfield.
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