Toni Kroos reveals how Carlo Ancelotti convinced him to join Real Madrid
Real Madrid midfielder Toni Kroos has stated that his switch to the capital club this summer from Bayern Munich was mainly because of manager Carlo Ancelotti who promised him that he (Kroos) would be a pivotal part of the squad.
The Italian made his intentions perfectly clear and told the German that he was needed at Real. Kroos, who won the World Cup with Germany in Brazil this year, was one of the star signings for the Blancos this season as president Florentino Perez paid €25 million to recruit him from the Bavarians.
Ancelotti told Kroos that he was needed
And the 24-year-old has made an immediate impact on the team as he has established himself as a regular starter at the Bernabeu. He has started in 11 of Madrid’s games this season, setting up six goals and scoring one in the process.
Being a crucial part of Ancelotti’s midfield has satisfied Kroos and he has admitted that it was the correct decision to sign for the European champions after Ancelotti had assured him about being an integral part to his team.
Talking to German newspaper Suddeutsche Zeitung he said, "It was important that I could be sure from the first day that the coach trusted me. Ancelotti told me that he needed me and he has given me a central role in the team.”
“I play ten yards further than I did at Bayern,” Kroos
"He told me during a telephone conversation that I could make Real Madrid better.
"Ancelotti wanted a little bit more balance in the team’s play, a little bit more control. He told me that he wanted to further improve our play, that he wanted to change it, with the intention of having more phases with possession of the ball. And therefore, he told me that he needed me.
"I play as a midfielder, and ten yards further back than I did at Bayern; in reality, I am a ‘six’. The offensive game is not forgotten, but for now we can say that I am a No.6.
"Pep Guardiola told me at the beginning, ‘Toni, the good players move around during their career and each time further back.’ With Ancelotti I could follow that same path," he concluded.