But it's highly unlikely a coach would use a player at centerback in a World Cup qualifier who's never been called up before. Brooks should just focus on his play for Hertha this spring, and we'll see what happens as the U20 World Cup/Gold Cup approach this summer.
If this is the case, Brooks may only accept a qualifiers invite, if he doesn't get it he may wait us out by going with Germany for the U20 WC.
Brooks with a "3" from kicker this past weekend and overall the rater(s) sure likes him. He is currently the tenth best-rated defender in the 2. Bundesliga. http://www.kicker.de/news/fussball/...iga/2012-13/topspieler-der-saison-abwehr.html
There's a small, but interesting systematic error. Kicker still lists Fabian Lustenberger as a midfielder, but he plays CB with Brooks. Lustenberger is rated at 2.91, the second-best defender (and third-best field player) of the league. Lustenberger as a former CM is arguably the best passer and very deep playmaker among all BL2 defenders, and a perfect partner for huge, physically impressing Brooks. Hertha's CB depth chart looks like 1&2: Lustenberger/Brooks 3: Hubnik To be determined: Maik Franz (injured) Brooks got his first chance at the start of the season, when Franz still suffered from a CL rupture. He lost his spot after a bad game, when Franz was back. Franz picked up another serious injury, Brooks took his chance, and beat the Czech international Hubnik for the spot next to Lustenberger. Franz will be back after the break, and fighting for his spot. He's a very experienced, nasty, physical CB with BL1 quality (Wolfsburg, Frankfurt, Karlsruhe). Coach Luhukay is in love with Lustenberger, and called him the best player of BL2 so far; Franz will be competing with Brooks for the second spot. We'll see what happens. Brooks might lose this fight, and get benched; on the other hand I'm pretty sure that it would be his breakthrough and a starting spot in BL1 after promotion, if he manages to beat Franz (and Hubnik for another half year).
In Hertha's central defense, it would appear that "Konkurrenz belebt das Geschäft*" as they make the push to BL1. *competition is good for business
Here's another article of JAB done by Hertha's website, I translated it using good ol Google Translate. "NOT IMMEDIATELY THROW IN THE TOWEL" John Anthony Brooks is the biggest surprise of the season. Just before Christmas, the defender spoke with herthabsc.de on the way to regular players and National team. Berlin - The player from Hertha BSC were allowed after the successful Hinrunden-end is a well-deserved Christmas break. Still, the biggest surprise of the season has taken time for an interview. Defender John Anthony Brooks spoke to the editors of herthabsc.de on his way to the regulars, setbacks, and his faithful companion. herthabsc.de: John, the last game before Christmas is just around the corner. How did you see your first round? John Anthony Brooks: I think it was a very positive season so far. The exceptions were, of course, the cup exit at Worms and the defeat at FSV Frankfurt. I am therefore particularly pleased that we have taken with a 2-1 win at the Olympic Stadium and revenge, all with a sense of achievement for the winter break. herthabsc.de: Your 17 games in a row have not lost more and set a new club record. How does that feel? John Anthony Brooks: That's a great feeling because I do not have big talk around it. We have shown that we can get consistent and good. I want this series and the record as long as it is possible to keep! herthabsc.de: You have prevailed up as a regular player. Did you expect from this season? John Anthony Brooks: No, it's so fast that it was not to be expected of course. I started normally in the season and have from the beginning tried to retrieve my best performance. The coach gave me confidence and I hope I can prove myself in the future at Hertha BSC. Must pass it on! herthabsc.de: After a good start for you too, you had to go in between but also come from the bench or were not in the squad. How do you deal with this situation, and then sets the lever back? John Anthony Brooks: It's not easy, but I'm not the type to be equal abandon. One should not immediately throw in the towel in the grain, but must always recommend about hard work and back offer. I trained harder and given more gas, but I was rewarded in the end. herthabsc.de: You come from his own youth. Under what coach did you learn the most? John Anthony Brooks: I really enjoyed this club a very good education. Thomas crutches (now U19 coach at TSG 1899 Hoffenheim) has encouraged me in a lot of youth and far forward. By Joerg Schwanke I still have to get the final touch. herthabsc.de: At our last meeting, we also discussed the issue of national team. Since the Americans had the lead, but now you've played for the German Under-20 team. How is the new state of affairs? John Anthony Brooks: There has not changed very much, but I'm about at the moment and not worry so much. It gives me a lot of fun in both associations and I've still got enough time to decide. herthabsc.de: Many fans see you every week while on the field, yet you're still a big unknown. How would you describe yourself John Brooks? John Anthony Brooks (laughs): I'm actually a quiet guy who goes but open to the world. I'm really good with each person, my family and friends complain about not quirks or eccentricities. I just love to laugh and am a consistently positive person. herthabsc.de: You are recently gone under the dog owner, what fascinates you? John Anthony Brooks: That's quite a bit longer that way, but I have the best dog in the world. Jackson is a pit bull-boxer mix, and my faithful companion! herthabsc.de: How do you spend the holiday season? Are there any plans for New Year's Eve? John Anthony Brooks: The Christmas days I spend quite classical in the family, which is important to me. For New Year's Eve there is absolutely no plans. But there is still so much time and I find it a bit more determined! http://www.herthabsc.de/de/teams/interview-brooks/page/1733--45--.html
Brooks doesn't make kicker's top 6 ranking of the best center backs in the league (Lustenberger is 2nd), but he is among the 13 honorable mentions (those aren't ranked, but listed alphabetically): http://mediadb.kicker.de/news/1000/1020/1100/4000/artikel/779594/rl_iv-1356460172.jpg
And here's another article of Mr. Brooks, this time it's from B.Z. Berlin (newspaper). Brooks has taken the breakthrough John Anthony Brooks Hertha is the cover a lot of stability and is an indispensable part of the team. Christmas should celebrate John Anthony Brooks (19) this time twice. The festival of love with his family - and his personal-By Brooks. Within six months, the German-American talent for pro-team regular, is now placed in the center of defense. With its strong performance, he even managed to force the Czech Republic Football Cup Roman Hubnik on the bench. After 15 second-division games (12 of them over a full 90 minutes) is clear: Brooks is Hertha's most precious jewel. Coach Jos Luhukay: "John is a player with an extraordinary talent. He knows he still has much work to do, but he is on a great path. As it has developed in recent months, which he shows consistency, which is not natural for a boy of his age." And that has come to realize, the competition ... With Frankfurt and Mainz are at the Bundesliga defender who reminds them of his movements on Jerome Boateng, interested. Although Brooks has a contract until 2015 in Berlin - Hertha but still want to play it safe. BZ learned: If Hertha tackle the climb to Brooks, an early contract extension offered to greatly improved remuneration. Currently, he is in fact not as a talent and not as a paid performer. This plan shows the Hertha boss: Brooks is Hertha's man of the future. Manager Michael Preetz "The coach and I are convinced that we basically have a team that allows us to exist in the Bundesliga," Brooks will work together with goalkeeper Thomas Kraft, captain Peter Niemeyer and clippers Pierre-Michel Lasogga Herthas Bundesliga axis of the future form. http://www.bz-berlin.de/sport/hertha-bsc/brooks-hat-den-durchbruch-gepackt-article1603004.html
Calling the B.Z. a "newspaper" is rather generous, you'll be hard pressed to find a more worthless rag in Germany. The current cover story is "I was Hitler's taster!", btw.
When does everyone think JAB will start thinking of a transfer to a bigger club? Even if Hertha Berlin make it back up, bigger clubs are going to come calling eventually. Just a hunch, but since Bayern Munich had interest before he signed a Pro contract with Hertha Berlin, I think they will be the first big name club that comes calling. Just a prediction though. One thing is for certain though, if he keeps this up, he will be playing for a better club soon enough
haha... maybe after he's completed one full season at the top level from start to finish. No reason to move very soon. He's starting for a team that is likely to move up next season and then he'll have a new, higher level to test himself at.
You can make jokes, but Bayern Munich were interested before he even got a pro contract with Hertha Berlin, I would assume they would be even more interested now.
And Brooks didn't want to sign with them because he wanted to play regularly instead of getting lost in the shuffle at a bigger club... do you really think that would change at Bayern Munich based on half a season in the Bundesliga 2? And if Brooks' goal was to play regularly, and he is currently succeeding in doing that, why would he want to leave, when the team will likely be promoted?
BINGO. Hopefully, JAB will transfer when it's a smart thing to do. Admittedly, if he has an out this year, he might consider the end of the season because there's going to be a big difference between anchoring the defense for the league's best team versus playing under siege (most) every game as a newly promoted team. His flaws are likely to be quickly discovered and ruthlessly exploited at the next level. However, it's also an opportunity- a good season in BL1 under difficult circumstances is likely to bring more attention.
I never said he would transfer to Bayern Munich based off half of a season, but Bayern Munich are not an incredibly deep team at CB. They have Badstuder, Boateng, Van Buyten and Dante, but thats it. They only have four guys, and Van Buyten is 34 and only has four appearances this year, he clearly is at the end of his career, at least his Bayern Munich career. They are going to need a CB soon, and they were recently interested in JAB. I'm just speculating, calm down.
First off, Bayern also had interest in Terrence Boyd, but now he's in Austria, and I don't see anyone speculating about Bayern buying him back. After all, having a young player around to see if he develops is very different from buying a player from another club with the intent of giving him playing time. Secondly, Hertha is on track to be promoted. If Brooks can maintain his starting job into next season and have success in the Bundesliga, that's about as good for his development as any club transfer. And there's nothing to say Hertha can't have success. Look at Eintracht Frankfurt. Bundesliga 2 last year, and now they are currently in line for Champions League qualification this year.