Midfielders:
The midfield is a big question mark, as only Michael Ballack and Bastian 'Schweini' Schweinsteiger will be in the final lineup. They are the 'pillars' of the German game. Overall, it is a very young midfield with a lot of players lacking international experience.
In comparison to the 2008 European championship – six new players are on the actual roster. However, the lack of experience also brings a bigger hunger after the success. The 'young guns' are looking fresh and they are a hot topic in Germany. They have given new impulses and changed the strategy of German play.
Head coach Loew will mix old reliable players like Ballack and Schweini with the ‘young guns.’ Ballack, who is in Chelsea for his club is not on the roster for the performance test, but will be 100 percent barring injury and in the final lineup. Ballack is the unchallenged leader – so Germany’s play rises and falls with him. Everytime Ballack was injured or had a bad game – Germany has not looked good and performed poorly in the past.
Germans hope that will change with the new player contributions and some other player steps up. Schweinsteiger is a guy with potential to be a leader, but his role on FC Bayern, his club changed from the right Midfield to the Centre.
Midfielders:
Christian Gentern (24), (Wolfsburg)– the quick midfielder is a good passer, but he’s very inconstant in his overall performances.
Thomas Hitzlsperger (27), (VfB Stuttgart)– had an awful season, but plays a good pass and his free-kicks are special. After his club coach changed, he was pushed aside and his participation in the World Cup was at stake.
Aaron Hunt (23), (Bremen)– was very good last season and is performing well again this year, always on the right spot.
Marcell Jansen (24), (Hamburger SV)– former Munich player that never hit his full potential under head coach Klinsmann. Jansen has performed well in Hamberg the last few matches and is a energetic full-back (3 goals/3 Assists in the last 3 club games).
Sami Khedira (22), (VfB Stuttgart)– another solid player with good fundamentals, Germans are waiting for his break-out potential.
Toni Kroos (20), (Leverkusen) – another young talent, was on the Munich-reserve team and had his outbreak in Leverkusen – 7 goals and 5 Assist with an overall good performance- a coming star.
Marcus Marin (20), (Bremen)– he’s a lively player with good dribbling and pressure to the goal. He is the kind of player who can decide a game on his own.
Thomas Mueller (20), (FC Bayern)- a talent from Munich, Mueller played some good matches and is a potential breakout candidate.
Mezut Özil (21), (Bremen)– Özil is the lost creative player that Germany is missing, but he is still very rough and has day-to-day performances. He could play the dangerous pass in the deep. Özil has 10 Assists for the season, but has been wearing down.
Simon Rolfes (28), (Leverkusen)– a sweeper, with good position play and the eye for to plug potential gaps. Rolfes is a big part of the midfield to defence tactics. One of my favorite player and now without Frings he should be a must-start. Rolfes had a serious knee-injury and couldn’t play most of the season.
Bastian Schweinsteiger (25), (FC Bayern)– ‘Schweini’ could out act opponents and he is very good with the ball. He’s a threat to the goal and a strong shooter. Sometimes he wants too much and isn’t focused on the game. One of the best German players and he is very experienced despite being young.
Piotr Trochowski (25), (Hamburger SV)– strong work horse, runs the whole game, and is very aggressive. Good passer and dribbler – he is a ‘my way or the highway’- type of guy.
Potential Call-ups:
Sven Bender (20) (Dortmund) a solid young starter for his club team.
Florian Kringe (27), (Hertha BSC) was slowed recovering from a broken foot, but he is very energetic and a good tackler.
For a more in depth look at the entire roster please click on the links below.
OVERVIEW
GOAL
DEFENCE
FORWARD
- Tjaden F. Bricout - RotoKingdom Staff Writer