'Total midfielder' - Real Madrid told they should have signed 'fantastic' Aston Villa star as Toni Kroos replacement

Tielemans has established himself as one of the Premier League's best midfielders since moving to England. The 28-year-old joined Leicester City from Monaco in 2019, scoring the winner to help the Foxes win the FA Cup in 2021. He then moved to Villa on a free transfer in 2023 and helped the club reach the quarter-finals of the Champions League in 2024-25.

And while it may be a surprise for Tielemans to be mentioned in the same breath as Kroos, who decided to hang up his boots in 2024 after a legendary career with Real and Germany, Belgian analyst Filip Joos believes that should not be the case.

Speaking to Belgian outlet Play Sports, in quotes reported by Voetbal Nieuws, Joos said: “I keep saying it: if Real Madrid had signed him (Tielemans) when Toni Kroos left, a lot would have been resolved.

“I think he’s a fantastic player. What strikes me every time is how much he can do, how much power he has. Not just in going deep, but also in defending. He’s become a total midfielder."

Kroos retired from professional football following Germany's Euro 2024 quarter-final exit at the hands of eventual winners Spain. He won 22 major honours at Real, including five Champions League titles and four La Liga crowns.

Real start their 2025-26 La Liga campaign against Osasuna at the Santiago Bernabeu on August 19. Aston Villa, meanwhile, will lock horns with Newcastle United in their opening fixture of the new Premier League season on Saturday.