nah, I believe that Kroos could become our next Ballack, but needs to learn his defensive work, which I think is not impossible. You obviously misunderstood my example: Marin also needed time to adapt to his new role, but they did that during his U19 time! And Kroos will have to do that now step by step, meaning that he loses time. It's not impossible at all that he doesn't learn it, his problem it will take some time while everybody thinks he must PERFORM right now. And that dive was horrible - Marin can do that better
Exactly. There was no need for Kroos to change position (except because Bayern simply play a different system; but even they were willing to accommodate him as a playmaker this year, he just wasn't ready), unlike with Marin and his characteristics. I also don't think learning positions is what's holding Kroos back "so much".
Unfortunately, unlike Ballack, Diego, Kroos, etc., Marin doesn't only dive very often but always screams, rolls, holds his face and thus "demands" a yellow card...double lack of fairness, but he's young.
One of the better players yesterday in the U21 match against France, together with Beck, Höwedes and Neuer. And this despite being played out of position, and having not much creative support from the centre, thanks to Eilts' weird lineup / formation. He made the cross that lead to the winning goal also.
He did ok, considering the fact that he didn't have much support. But a striker needs to score, and he wasted a couple of good chances. Knowing him, he can do much better. I actually like him and would like to see him called up for the senior team soon, as I wrote in the "The state of German Football and the National Team" thread already.
No, Özil didn´t. The cross was made by Toni Kroos. Özil dribbled near the left corner, bound some French players, passed back to another player, who passed to Kroos. Kroos had much space to make a good cross and did it. Best scenes of Özil IMO were a dribbling in first half, where he tricked out 3 French defender, but shot too late, so a fourth French defender could clear the ball and a world-class pass to Dejagah, who was free in front of goal, but wasted the chance horribly.
I could have sworn that it was Özil who made the cross to Castro & Höwedes, but I could be wrong. Have to watch the highlights again to be sure (if I find them), it was such a hectic and nervewrecking ending of the match, and I had to switch to the senior match right after. That dribbling in the first half was great indeed, he did have a couple of really good moves yesterday. He can do even better, of course, but it's really good to see that he always seems to do well in important matches, perform when it really matters. That's usually what makes great players.
Wegen Özil Allofs schaltet Bierhoff ein http://www.bild.de/BILD/sport/fussb...laus-allofs-schaltet-oliver-bierhoff-ein.html
Kicker: What about the national team? Özil: I've decided to join the national team of my friend Halil Altintop. It was a difficult decision but I feel that it's the right one." nah, I'm joking Here's the real quote: Kicker: What about the national team? Özil: I hope I can recommend myself with Werder further. At the moment I play for the U21. But of course I'd be happy to get a call from Bundestrainer Löw."
Clever...Terim has told Oezil to keep quiet about his decision to play for Turkey so that he can call him up for the next match without the German FA and German press being forewarned about it...
Özil was voted player of the month September. On the footballer of the month site (link) his former coach Mirko Slomka, at Schalke describes him and explains why he isn´t surprised, but also that he must continue working hard to further improve.
More importantly, Özil has given another interview making clear that he is looking forward to play for Germany's senior NT. This picture shows Fatih Terim wishing Özil all the best for his Germany career.