Toni Kroos

[cucumberman]

Without looking at the stats for me kroos ran the game pogba was pretty quiet until he was moved further forward

Concisely put. it's this.

Kroos was involved in every move and Germany for the most part looked the better side. Pogba only came into the fray every now and then.

 

[Neville Kneville]

must have watched a different game.

Shots: Kroos 2, Pogba 2. Blocks: Kroos 1, Pogba 0. Clearances: Kroos 1, Pogba 2. Interceptions: Kroos 1, Pogba 1. Aerial Duels won: Kroos 2, Pogba 0. Tackles: Kroos 2/3, Pogba 0/3. Take-ons: Kroos 5/6, Pogba 3/3, Chances created: Kroos 2, Pogba 2, Passing: Kroos 84 pass (89% accuracy), Pogba 29 passes (82% accuracy).

I'm absolutely not wearing that, at all.

That's the trouble with stats, a free header or sticking your foot out counts as a tackle or interception or an aerial dual.

I've just spent 90 mins watching Kroos loaf about doing piss easy stuff & Pogba grafting out a win, doing hard stuff.

 

[Neville Kneville]

Kroos was by far Germanys best player tonight. And even if they did lose he outperformed Pogba. Don't get me wrong, I think Pogba is a terrific player and I'd be devestated if he signed for United but Kroos is one level above him in my opinion.

Re Toure: Today Kroos played as a 10 and not as a sitting midfielder. But he still put in a better shift than Yaya did all season defensivly. Yaya got better defending abilities than Kroos, but Kroos works so much harder. And there's no way that Yaya would have been slated on here (or maybe he would as there are some writers with personal agendas against some of our players) if he put in the same performance as Kroos tonight. Kroos set pieces were great, his passing was really good as well and he wasn't afraid to try to create something on his own with take ons and playing one twos.

No he didn't put in a better shift.

I was particularly looking out at that side. Pigfucker covered for him.

 

[Jonsilfab]

I've just spent 90 mins watching Kroos loaf about doing piss easy stuff & Pogba grafting out a win, doing hard stuff.

We must've watched two completely different games then.

 

[Dax777]

Kroos was by far Germanys best player tonight. And even if they did lose he outperformed Pogba. Don't get me wrong, I think Pogba is a terrific player and I'd be devestated if he signed for United but Kroos is one level above him in my opinion.

Re Toure: Today Kroos played as a 10 and not as a sitting midfielder. But he still put in a better shift than Yaya did all season defensivly. Yaya got better defending abilities than Kroos, but Kroos works so much harder. And there's no way that Yaya would have been slated on here (or maybe he would as there are some writers with personal agendas against some of our players) if he put in the same performance as Kroos tonight. Kroos set pieces were great, his passing was really good as well and he wasn't afraid to try to create something on his own with take ons and playing one twos.

I'd have to disagree on Kroos' role. He played as the 2nd CM. Slightly to the left of Shweini. Shweini often dropped in between the 2 CBs as the Fullbacks played high up. Kroos was pretty much the CM dictating play. Can played as the most advanced of the 3.

 

[domalino]

Yaya in his prime even without the goals was fantastic footballer.. And that Kroos is a fantastically sound technical footballer is not in question.

That he lacks Athletism, and puts in below average effort defensively to no complaints here, is what's at issue.

And your attempts to use one block as evidence he worked hard, when time after time on lots of the French attack he was the least aggressive of CM of the 3 on display and shied away from battle. Something Yaya gets slated for here constantly.

But feel free to Stoke the red herring argument. You have a knack for it.

"the least aggressive of the 3 CM on display"

Well Kroos was playing as a 10 so it would be strange if he wasn't.

 

[Dax777]

I'm absolutely not wearing that, at all.

That's the trouble with stats, a free header or sticking your foot out counts as a tackle or interception or an aerial dual.

I've just spent 90 mins watching Kroos loaf about doing piss easy stuff & Pogba grafting out a win, doing hard stuff.

Here is the difference. When Germany were on top. Kroos was Kroosinf. Passing it let and right, dropping into pockets and contributing. Once France got a foot in he lost his smoothness and coolness with the rest of the Germans.

 

[Neville Kneville]

You are quite right. Yaya can do all these things and better when he's bothered. But Yaya's getting on a bit and when he barely works he really barely works. Kroos is for me the closest we can get to Yaya's passing and taking on the defenders. Prime Yaya can never be replaced. He is one of best midfielders that I have ever seen, who happens to have an idiot for an agent.

Kroos is close to reaching the heights of Yaya. I thought the sum of it's parts, Kroos is a better player than Pogba today in terms of playmaking. Pogba can be marked. In terms of attacking contribution Pogba is faster and stronger.

I agree if Yaya is going to be a stone overweight & doesn't give a fuck then of course Kroos is way better.

But what if he actually wants to play for Pep & it's his wanker agent who says otherwise ?

 

[Danamy]

Yaya occasionally gets blocks in. Just not very often. Like Kroos.

But he's stronger, faster even now, better in the air far far better at shooting. Imo no less able as a passer, it's just that we don't ask him to play that role.

When Kroos attacked the French box, you knew, as with Silva, it's unlikely to end in a shot on goal. If that's Yaya, it ends in a shot & sometimes a goal.

Yaya minus a stone in weight is on another planet to Kroos imo.

If Pep is determined to do this then of course he gets what he wants, but I think he already has the players to do that job.

You failed to miss out the part where he's seven years older and would now struggle to get a full 90 mins out of him in the Prem

Hard to say it because he's been a true legend in our rise but all good things come to an end.....

 

[Neville Kneville]

Here is the difference. When Germany were on top. Kroos was Kroosinf. Passing it let and right, dropping into pockets and contributing. Once France got a foot in he lost his smoothness and coolness with the rest of the Germans.

Yes.

He is a lovely passer of the ball but out of posession he's poor, like Yaya.

So what if we give Yaya the same license as we are willing, it appears, to give Kroos ?