Toni Kroos criticized Barcelona’s transfer strategy for letting Iñigo Martínez leave, highlighting his absence in their recent La Liga match against Real Madrid and the struggle with ball distribution and defense.
Real Madrid legend Toni Kroos has publicly questioned FC Barcelona’s summer transfer strategy, specifically highlighting the club’s controversial decision to allow veteran defender Iñigo Martínez to depart.
Speaking on his personal podcast, Einfach mal Luppen, the criticism from the retired German midfielder follows the Blaugrana’s recent Clásico defeat to Real Madrid, a loss that intensified media scrutiny over the center-back options at Hansi Flick’s disposal.
According to reporting from Get Football News Spain (GFN), the situation at the heart of Barcelona’s defense has been a prominent talking point across the week.
Amid ongoing questions over who best partners young defender Pau Cubarsí, the team appears to be missing a crucial leader at the back—a void Kroos believes was created by the summer sale.
The former Madrid star argued that Martínez was essential to the team’s tactical setup and security, particularly when facing high-intensity opposition. He integrated a direct critique of the decision, noting: “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.”
Kroos pointed directly to the high-stakes match against his former club as a key moment where the mistake was highlighted. “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.”
The German icon’s analysis suggests that by failing to secure a suitable replacement for the reliable ball-playing defender, Barcelona has created a structural problem that is now being exposed in high-pressure matches.
While acknowledging that Hansi Flick’s side faced the Clásico significantly weakened by other injuries, Kroos emphasized that the current defensive imbalance stems from questionable decision-making by the transfer team earlier in the summer win
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