Toni Kroos questions Barcelona summer sale: ‘It’s taking its toll’ | OneFootball

Real Madrid legend Toni Kroos has this week called into question the decision-making of the transfer team at Barcelona.

This comes owing to the call to allow Iñigo Martínez to move on over the summer.

The situation at the heart of Barcelona’s backline has proven a prominent talking point in the Spanish media across the week to date.

After the Blaugrana were put to the sword by arch rivals Real Madrid in a crunch top-of-the-table La Liga showdown, many were quick to highlight concern with the centre-back options at Hansi Flick’s disposal.

Amid ongoing questions over the best partner for Pau Cubarsí, and occasional criticism of the young Spaniard, too, it is safe to say that Barca are missing a leader at the back.

And one individual who shares such a viewpoint, as alluded to above, is Toni Kroos.

Speaking during the latest episode of his personal podcast, Einfach mal Luppen, this week, Real Madrid icon Kroos explained:

“I already mentioned it at the time: Inigo Martinez was very important. Last year, he was Barca’s centre-back with the best ball distribution. He wasn’t the fastest, but he was an excellent defender and had great build-up play. Against Real Madrid, his absence was noticeable when the team suffered under their high press. They didn’t replace him, and that’s taking its toll.”

Conor Laird – GSFN