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Article continues belowArticle continues belowArticle continues below<ul><li>German midfielder heading into retirement</li><li>Quality &amp; experience difficult to replace</li><li>England star will not be dropped back</li></ul><script type="application/json" data-placement="fcplayer-semantic">{"type":"fcplayer-semantic","data":{"embedCode":"//cdn.fcp.codes/embed-code-template/embed-code-template.js#SEMANTIC_5704afb8-c10b-4ba5-9cb4-d7fb6098ef90"}}</script>

Explained: Why Jude Bellingham won’t fill Toni Kroos’ boots at Real Madrid despite there being 'no player' on the transfer market that can replace World Cup winner

Champions League

Real Madrid

AC Milan

The Blancos are bidding farewell to a World Cup-winning midfielder, with <a href="https://www.goal.com/en/lists/toni-kroos-retiring-real-madrid-legend-to-hang-up-his-boots-after-germany-euro-2024-campaign/blt7d6390c75be857bb" target="_blank">Kroos announcing that he will be heading into retirement at the end of Euro 2024</a>. The legendary Germany international is hanging up his boots at just 34 years of age.

WHAT HAPPENED?

Having <a href="https://www.goal.com/en/lists/toni-kroos-tears-real-madrid-legend-goodbye-to-santiago-bernabeu/blt26f5909e7e14b2ec" target="_blank">spent 10 years at Santiago Bernabeu</a>, taking in 464 appearances and winning 21 trophies – including four La Liga titles and as many Champions League crowns – <a href="https://www.goal.com/en/lists/cristiano-ronaldo-sends-message-toni-kroos-ex-real-madrid-team-mate-shock-retirement-announcement/blt25fca8602fd6a10a" target="_blank">finding a suitable successor to Kroos in the middle of the park </a>will be no easy task for Real.

THE BIGGER PICTURE

There had been suggestions that England star Bellingham could be <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-gb/lists/best-position-jude-bellingham-explains-style-evolved-admiration-real-madrid-luka-modric-toni-kroos/blt8c4e2a681d3c507a" target="_blank">dropped back from a more attacking No.10 berth</a>, but Ancelotti has said when asked about that tactical tinkering: “I don't think so. The closer we get to Bellingham, the better it is for us. There is no player with Kroos' characteristics on the market, but we have to replace him in another way. We have midfielders with a lot of quality and we have to adapt next season's game to their characteristics.”

WHAT ANCELOTTI SAID

Bellingham has enjoyed a productive debut campaign in Madrid, <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-gb/lists/jude-bellingham-above-real-madrid-legends-zinedine-zidane-luis-figo-blancos-champions-league-all-time-greats/blt075f273883d02cc0" target="_blank">registering 23 goals across all competitions</a>, and will get the <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-gb/lists/wembley-for-15th-jude-bellingham-reacts-champions-league-final-remarkable-european-rescue-mission-real-madrid/blta44dd33419dce33a" target="_blank">opportunity on June 1 to add a Champions League triumph</a> to a roll of honour in Spain that already includes Super Cup and La Liga glory.

WHAT NEXT?

Explained: Why Jude Bellingham won’t fill Toni Kroos’ boots at Real Madrid despite there being 'no player' on the transfer market that can replace World Cup winner | Goal.com Singapore

Carlo Ancelotti sees “no player” on the market that can replace Toni Kroos, but has ruled out asking Jude Bellingham to provide cover at Real Madrid.

Explained: Why Jude Bellingham won’t fill Toni Kroos’ boots at Real Madrid despite there being &apos;no player&apos; on the transfer market that can replace World Cup winner