Midfield:
MC: Ivan Rakitic (Barcelona) – A superb midfield playmaker, Croatian star Ivan Rakitic was one of the outstanding midfielders in La Liga and all of Europe last season for his previous club Sevilla. A move to a bigger side seemed inevitable, and it is Barcelona who have brought him in as a long-term replacement for veteran midfield maestro Xavi, with the 26-year-old possessing all the qualities needed to be the side’s main creative hub for many years to come.
MC: Toni Kroos (Real Madrid) – After excelling in Bayern Munich’s recent treble success, Toni Kroos became one of the most in-demand midfielders in Europe this summer as he rejected offers of a new contract at the Allianz Arena for a new challenge. A host of other teams were rumoured to be in for the German World Cup winner, but he becomes the latest big name to jet in at the Bernabeu, and should provide Carlo Ancelotti’s side with even more quality on the ball from the middle of the park next season.