Kroos-Di María-Modric; the favoured midfield

Real Madrid fans would like to see a midfield trio of Toni Kroos, Angel di Maria and Luka Modric, according to a poll carried out by Marca.

The three midfielders were named the most by Madridistas when asked who should be in the starting line up when the new season starts. Kroos was the most popular name, with the German World Cup winner riding the crest of a wave at the moment having just completed his 20 million euro switch from Bayern Munich.

While there are question marks over di Maria’s future at the club in the Spanish press, the Madrid fans have no doubt they want him to stay and form a key part of the team alongside Modric.

Of the remaining midfielders at the club, the fans said the first one they would bring off the bench is Isco, followed by veteran midfielder Xabi Alonso.

The losers in the poll were Sami Khedira and Asier Illarramendi, who were all deemed surplus to requirements by Madridistas. Both of those players could be heading to the exit door this summer either on a temporary or permanent basis.

World Cup winner Khedira has been strongly linked with a move to FA Cup winners Arsenal or city rivals Chelsea, who won nothing under Jose Mourinho last season. Illarramendi has attracted the interest of Athletic Bilbao, while another midfielder, Casemiro, has already left the club for a Porto, where he will spend the season on loan.