Football is finally back after an excruciating nine week absence and what better way to celebrate the return of football by taking an in depth look into the Bundesliga. I’ve chosen a Bundesliga XI using only one player per club, unlike the Premier League side every team has a player that features as there are only 18 teams in the league (11 in the starting lineup, 7 on the bench). This team is not a team of the season so far but a team based on both overall ability and potential, however their performances this season obviously have also played a role in the decision making.
Goalkeeper:
Koen Casteels (VfL Wolfsburg)
No goalkeeper has conceded less goals than the 27 year old Belgian goalkeeper this season. Casteels has been Wolfsburg’s No.1 since joining from Hoffenheim in 2015 overthrowing their long term keeper Diego Benaglio. Casteels has often been selected for the Belgian National Team squads but is yet to make his debut as of yet, serving as the no.3 behind Thibaut Courtois and Simon Mignolet, it is surely only a matter of time until he makes his international debut.
Right Back:
Christopher Trimmel (Union Berlin)
Many pundits predicted Union Berlin to go straight back down this season but they have proven many wrong by mounting a very respectable debut campaign. 33 year old wing-back Christopher Trimmel has been one of their shining stars, Trimmel has more assists than any other defender in the league (7). Trimmel also has had an extremely impressive 2.3 key passes per 90 this season, which is the same amount as both Kai Havertz and Jadon Sancho. He also ranks second for crosses per 90 (2.5), the Austrian has aged like a fine wine.
Centre Back:
Dayot Upamecano (RB Leipzig)
Dayot Upamecano has become one of the most in demand defenders in Europe since joining Leipzig from sister club Salzburg in 2017. The 21 year old ranks 4th for most progressive passes in the Bundesliga (136), the only player in the top 5 that doesn’t play for Bayern Munich. His performance against Bayern in February stands as one of the best individual displays in the league this season notching 4 interceptions and 8 clearances in the game. He also ranks in the top 10 for blocks per 90 this season (0.8) ,which is impressive stat considering he's playing for a team challenging for the league. The French man's contract runs out next summer; Leipzig may look to cash out on their valuable asset this summer.
Centre Back:
Robin Koch (SC Freiburg)
23 year old Robin Koch is the epitome of a modern day centre back, he is more than capable of playing the ball out of the back and has great anticipation and is also solid in the air. Koch followed in his father's footsteps playing for boyhood club FC Kaiserslauten but left the club to join current club Freiburg in 2017 for just €3.5 million. An impressive campaign has seen him break into the back line of the German national side and is now being linked with moves to Roma and Napoli, Freiburg could have a battle on their hands to keep Koch at the club.
Left Back:
Robert Skov (1899 Hoffenheim)
A player that I've personally been a fan of since watching him play for Silkeborg in 2017, it was clear even back then that he had something special despite the lower standard of the Danish league. In his debut season in Germany this year, the 23 year old Danish international has now proven he is capable at performing at the higher level. He has contributed 8 goals this season, with 4 goals and 4 assists and ranks amongst the top ten for crosses per game (1.7). He has been adapted into a full back this season and has shown he is defensively solid enough for the role this season. He is also a superb set piece taker, he scored from 8 free kicks for FC Copenhagen last season, the versatile Skov is bound to have a bright future ahead.
Centre Mid:
Suat Serdar (Schalke 04)
The 2019/20 season has been a breakout season for Suat Serder, he's been superb throughout proving himself as a complete central midfielder. No midfielder has made more tackles per 90 than the 23 year old Suat Serdar (2.8), whilst he has also showcased his ability on the ball, ranking 6th for dribbles per 90 (2.7). His impressive season has seen him make a breakthrough into the German national team. Despite a string of niggling injuries throughout the season, he has also scored seven goals in 18 games this season. If you haven’t heard of Serdar yet, you will for sure within the next years, a very bright future ahead. Schalke are reportedly set to offer him another new contract to try and fend off interest.
Centre Mid:
Denis Zakaria (Borussia Mönchengladbach)
You can draw a lot of comparisons between Serdar and Zakaria with both being 23 and having breakthrough seasons this year. Ever since Zakaria arrived in Germany in 2017 from Young Boys, there has been a big hype around the player, but it hasn’t been until this season that Zakaria has proven himself as one of the most exciting central midfielders in Europe. Zakaria is a perfect example that stats aren’t everything, Gladbach’s system of using two defensive midfielders and his box to box midfielder role, means he ranks lower in tackles and interceptions than a lot of other central midfielders in Europe. If he was to play as a lone defensive midfielder elsewhere you would see his numbers shoot up, his 72% tackle success rate backs his ability to make strong and well-timed tackles. He's also more than capable on the ball, he is superb in transitional play and despite his 6 2' frame is deceivingly quick. With Gladbach reportedly in some financial difficulty, there are bound to be teams interested in trying to get the Swiss international at a potentially cut price.
Central Attacking Midfielder:
Kai Havertz (Bayer Leverkusen)
Last season, Kai Havertz caught the attention of many across the footballing world, when he managed to score 20 goals from midfield for Leverkusen, whilst also only being 19 years old at the time. His goal output may be lower this season but he has arguably had a better season, vastly improving his creative numbers. Since the turn of the year he’s been involved in a league goal every 86 minutes and also ranks amongst the top 5 in the league for key passes per 90 (2.3). A product of the Leverkusen academy, Havertz has shown his versatility over the years, he's excelled as a central midfield, on the wing, as a number 10 and as a second striker, a trait that has made him a desirable prospect for many of the top clubs around Europe. Bild have reported that Leverkusen would be looking for a fee of €100m to obtain his services, but I wouldn't expect the big price tag to put teams off the superstar.
Right Winger:
Jadon Sancho (Borussia Dortmund)
Jadon Sancho has solidified himself as a superstar this season after he followed his very impressive debut season with an incredible second campaign at Dortmund. No player has contributed more goals (14 goals,15 assists) than the England international. Sancho is already the full package and is destined to be a dominant force in Europe for many years to come.When all is said and done, Guardiola’s decision to let go of Sancho will likely turn out to be the one of the worst in his illustrious managerial career.
Striker:
Robert Lewandowski (FC Bayern Munich)
Robert Lewandowski is arguably the best out and out striker in the world, he has finished top goalscorer in the Bundesliga in four of the last five seasons and is currently both the top scorer in the Bundesliga this season with 25 goals in just 23 games and in the Champions League with a ludicrous 11 goals in just 6 games. He has also averaged 2.4 shots on target per game this season, the most by anyone in the league. Lewandowski is most probably having his greatest season at the club and at 31 has shown no signs of slowing down as of yet. Timo Werner has been pitched as his long term replacement but unless Bayern could work out a way to get both into the side, I can’t see Werner for as talented as he is, replacing the Pole anytime soon.
Left Winger:
Fillip Kostic (Eintracht Frankfurt)
When Eintracht Frankfurt impressed last season, many eyes were focused on the front two of Haller and Jovic, with both earning big money moves. Arguably more attention should have been focused on Kostic who was superb contributing to 16 goals for the Eagles. This campaign he has contributed 12 goals (4 goals and 8 assists) so far, whilst his 3.1 crosses per game is by far the most of any player in the Bundesliga this season. Kostic also ranks 2nd for key passes per 90 in the league (2.6) and 3rd for dribbles per 90 (2.9). Kostic has amassed these figures whilst playing for a side that sit just 6 points off the relegation zone.
Bench:
Zack Steffen (Fortuna Düsseldorf)
Sebastian Schonlau (Paderborn)
Noah Katterbach (FC Köln)
Marko Grujic (Hertha BSC)
Robin Quaison (Mainz 05)
Milot Rashica (Werder Bremen)
Florian Niederlechner (Augsburg)
So that’s my side, what’s yours? Let me on twitter @brandon_hamme. Hope you enjoyed the article.
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