Real Madrid see in-form midfielder as someone who can fit the Toni Kroos role – report | OneFootball

Dani Ceballos once again delivered an outstanding performance in Real Madrid’s 2-0 win against Valladolid on Saturday, marking himself as one of the standout players of the match.

The 28-year-old midfielder’s statistics for the match were impressive: three chances created (highest), 108 successful passes (highest), three crosses (highest), and four recoveries (second-highest).

Ceballos has established himself as a regular

As reported by journalist Rodra P, Ceballos has now established himself as a key starter in Carlo Ancelotti’s lineup. He has featured in 22 matches for Real Madrid this season, with four consecutive starts in La Liga, all of which have resulted in victories.

The Spaniard seems to have found consistency at Valdebebas, having already accumulated 1,044 minutes this season. The change in his fortunes is remarkable, especially considering he nearly left the club last summer and considered an exit in January as well.

From a peripheral figure earlier in the season, Ceballos has now become one of the most in-form players at Real Madrid. He brings dynamism, defensive effort, and quality to the team.

As such, within the club, Ceballos is seen as the player most likely to step into the role left by Toni Kroos.

The Toni Kroos replacement for Real Madrid? (Photo by Denis Doyle/Getty Images)

After all, the ex-Real Betis man is the one who has best taken advantage of Kroos’ absence in the squad since his retirement.

Eduardo Camavinga is currently struggling with form and fitness after making critical mistakes in matches against Barcelona and against Celta Vigo. Meanwhile, Aurelien Tchouameni has had a challenging season, playing in both a defensive and midfield role.

In contrast, Ceballos has emerged as a consistent and influential presence each time he has been given a chance.

When comparing the numbers of the two midfielders, albeit with some distance between them, Ceballos holds his own defensively against Kroos, though he still lags behind the German legend in terms of attacking contributions.

This extra defensive effort is proving crucial for Ancelotti’s quest for balance in his team, helping Ceballos establish himself in the team.