Toni Kroos may have hung up his boots after a legendary career (and has been sorely missed in the process), but he remains engaged with the evolution of [Real Madrid](https://www.managingmadrid.com). Speaking on the latest episode of _Einfach mal Luppen_, the podcast he co-hosts with his brother Felix Kroos, the German offered detailed thoughts on where the club needs to improve, his belief in Xabi Alonso, and his admiration for Arda Güler.
### What Real Madrid Is Missing
> “To get back to the top, the most important thing in my opinion is focus, a system, and how that new system would work and be implemented. And from that, you can measure which player is missing, depending on the type of football you want to play.”
### Defensive Disorganization and Its Ripple Effects
> “It helps the team a lot to have the feeling that you’re defending together. You have more energy when you win the ball back. Otherwise, you’re constantly running in behind, or you feel like you can’t press because they’re always beating you, and you also feel like you can’t retreat because you’re not used to it. And that’s where we suffered the most last season, and that’s why our play on the ball also looked so poor.”
### Belief in Xabi Alonso
> “That’s what I trust Xabi to do, that he will convey a clear idea. It’s all about dominance. And if they defend better, they’ll achieve it on the other end too.”
### Arda Güler’s Rise
Finally, Kroos praised Arda Güler — a player who has impressed despite limited opportunities.
> “He brings a lot of football to the game, let’s say. He was already ready football-wise last season, but he’s also taken a step forward physically.”
Kroos advocated for Güler’s inclusion in the team, even if he occasionally struggles defensively:
> “If you have a player like that, who can play like a number ten between the lines, then I’m in favor of turning a blind eye if he loses a duel. The important thing is that he has his task clearly defined and participates in the defensive effort.”