Players who deserve a shot in next friendlies

[Zeppelin]

Sebastian Kehl (he should actually start at the World Cup too!)
Malik Fathi
Stefan Kießling
Piotr Trochowski (would be an excellent Ballack substitute)
and maybe even Alex Meier

I couldn't agree more, Kehl should start at the WC.

[prymetyme]

I agree with Kehl why isnt he getting an oppertunity to start?

[smithfan]

I agree with Kehl why isnt he getting an oppertunity to start?

at least Klinsmann wants him to start against Italy. Hopefully he'll prove his talent. :)

[Snakeater]

Why not use Kehl in central defence if he's a strong defensive midfielder and thinks the defensive game very well?

Anticipation, timing, speed, and agility, are skills that we need to highlight in prospective national team central mids, not to mention tackling ability, one on one coverage skills, and the ability to move the ball upfield competently. I've often read that Kehl possesses many of these abilities.

Kicker score sheets have Kehl being used as a central defender; Bayern sometimes does the same with Demichelis. The reason I'm throwing this out there is because I've seen Kehl play and I've never been quite satisfied with his attacking skills, but if he compensates for that with strong defensive play, why not find a position more suitable for him and the National Team?

What do you guys think? Could Kehl do for us in Germany what Ramelow did for us in Japan?

[ForeverRed]

Why not use Kehl in central defence if he's a strong defensive midfielder and thinks the defensive game very well?

Anticipation, timing, speed, and agility, are skills that we need to highlight in prospective national team central mids, not to mention tackling ability, one on one coverage skills, and the ability to move the ball upfield competently. I've often read that Kehl possesses many of these abilities.

Kicker score sheets have Kehl being used as a central defender; Bayern sometimes does the same with Demichelis. The reason I'm throwing this out there is because I've seen Kehl play and I've never been quite satisfied with his attacking skills, but if he compensates for that with strong defensive play, why not find a position more suitable for him and the National Team?

What do you guys think? Could Kehl do for us in Germany what Ramelow did for us in Japan?

Kehl does play defense as well, and he's quite good at it but he's just been so good in that role for Dortmund and Germany has a real problem finding a good player for that DM role, much like England.

Metzelder and Mertesacker should be good enough as the CB pair, with Kehl ahead of them it would work out fantastic.

[Mr. Bee]

Has Volz ever been capped?

He's been nothing short of superb for Fulham - not knowing the depth of your squad at either RB or RMid, I'd say you could do far worse for a substitute.

[The Old Lady Hertha]

Has Volz ever been capped?

He's been nothing short of superb for Fulham - not knowing the depth of your squad at either RB or RMid, I'd say you could do far worse for a substitute.

I think he should be sub...Hinkel hasn't been in great form this year. Neither has Friedrich, but I still think he's our best defender by some ways. Volz as a backup RB would be pretty good. I've liked what I've seen from the lad, he has a lot of pace, good dribbler and a good work rate. Would like to see him work a bit on heading and defending though, but otherwise, a good player.

[Mr. Bee]

Would like to see him work a bit on heading and defending though, but otherwise, a good player.

I don't think he'll ever be a good header, but take into consideration the formation he was playing before his injury.

Coleman was experimenting with running Malbranque down the rightmid, not a great position for him. Steed would always draw towards the middle, which forced Volz to basically control the whole right side of the pitch, offensively and defensively. He was expected to both provide the cross on one end and defend it on the counterattack four seconds later.

Given that system he still excelled.

[eissman]

Mehmet Scholl


:D

I think this would be awesome to see Scholli actually in a WC for once! This guy I know is no 90 minute player anymore, but to have him even come off the bench... he is money for Bayern when he does this!!

[Jaison]

Has Volz ever been capped?

He's been nothing short of superb for Fulham - not knowing the depth of your squad at either RB or RMid, I'd say you could do far worse for a substitute.

He's been called up to the senior team, but I don't think he's been capped (I might be wrong on this though). He's been a mainstay in the U21's so far.

I'm all for Volz getting a try. Our other RBs (outside of Friedrich, who's basically a lock to start) have either been in poor form (Hinkel), injured (Görlitz (though I think he's back now)), or not really NT material (IMO) (Owomoyela).

From what little I've seen from Fulham this year, he's impressive. I really hope Klinsi gives him a try.

[The Old Lady Hertha]

I don't think he'll ever be a good header, but take into consideration the formation he was playing before his injury.

Coleman was experimenting with running Malbranque down the rightmid, not a great position for him. Steed would always draw towards the middle, which forced Volz to basically control the whole right side of the pitch, offensively and defensively. He was expected to both provide the cross on one end and defend it on the counterattack four seconds later.

Given that system he still excelled.

Well I'll never fault him for never trying. He has a great engine. I think that can at times can be a substitute for actually defending.

[Bayerntone]

The defense of Werder's players sucks big time more recently and has been poor all year long. Why Ernst and Owomoyela were picked??

Huth seemed happy receiving his pay on the bench, dyfunctioning himself and numbering his days for an early retirement. Is his combative spirit and experience on the field enough for consideration of a selection by a NATIONAL team? How can Klinsi judge it is a correct picking of Huth when he is on the bench all the time? Klinsi is making Team Germany a clown to be laughed at by the rest of the soccer world.

By outstanding performance of Keissling yesterday, he is a sure player that Team Germany should consider.

[Jaison]

Mike Hanke has playing very well since Augenthaler took over at Wolfsburg. Kicker even selected him as MOTM for the Wolfsburg-Hertha match.

Another player who IMO has been overlooked this year is Eintracht's Jermaine Jones, who has been playing very well as a DM (!) this season.

[balla_basti]

Ok i dont know if Klinsi or his scouts have been blind but how in the world has Stefan Kiessling not yet featured in the Germany setup?

This kid is awesome! I watched him in two games in the last two weeks and he is brilliant. Im expecting great things from the kid. Great touch, good vision and at the moment he is playing the central offensive midfielders role to perfection. Super header of the ball as well. Klinsi MUST take him to the World Cup on this form. but before that he should feature in the Italy game ahead of Poldi. hes a gem this lad.

And what of Piotr Trochowoski? If creativity is what we need this kid is the answer. And what a goal he scored the other day chipping in from 25 yards with his left foot. Genius!

These two shuld be a sure shot to get games.

[balla_basti]

Another interesting observation on my part; why not play Arne Friedrich as a center half?

He played that role against Bayern in their home match and he looked very assured as a defender against Pizarro and Maakay. He made also some rampaging runs forward and nearly scored in that game. Had a class game. He could slot in at center half although im still holding out of my dream of a fully fit Metze!

[ForeverRed]

Another interesting observation on my part; why not play Arne Friedrich as a center half?

He played that role against Bayern in their home match and he looked very assured as a defender against Pizarro and Maakay. He made also some rampaging runs forward and nearly scored in that game. Had a class game. He could slot in at center half although im still holding out of my dream of a fully fit Metze!

See, thats certainly a great option we have BUT he's been doing really well as a RB for Germany. He has great skill running down that right flank, why change that?

BTW, van Basten is taking a chance with three uncapped young Dutch players for their upcoming friendlies so why can't Klinsi give Piotr and Kiessling a chance?

[Bayerntone]

Hanke was brilliant at the match against Gladbach. Was he man-of-the-match?! He is hot. But the red card in the Confed Cup hurts him and he surely has regretted over this.

Good that I am not alone supporting Kiessling. He is a very good striker and excellent assist as well.

Imagine if Team Germany could have the in form service of Poldi, Kiessling and Hanke, the frontline will be awesome.

Regarding Friedrich, I have no objection to modifying his position to CB. Agree that he is very outstanding at the flank. A classy player absolutely. But Klinsi should try him in the middle in the friendlies so that the Team could have more options. I think Friedrich's skill and iq could well make him an excellent partner with Metzel in the mid-section of the defence.

[smithfan]

Kiessling > Hanke

!

[Jaison]

Arne at CB might be a very good idea actually.

While I think Mertesacker should be a lock at one CB position, the other is much more open. Metzelder has lost his starting place to Brzenska, Huth's still not getting much action (he should have gotten a loan), Sinkiewicz could easily be a future starter but right now he's too inexperienced and not exactly in sparkling form. Woerns should still be on the NT, but I think a Woerns/Merte combination would be too slow unfortunately. Manuel Friedrich, Fahne, Madlung etc. probably won't get callups either (though I'd like to see Manuel and Fahne get a chance). Arne could make for a good partner for Merte.

Perhaps this..

Lahm--Friedrich--Mertesacker--Jansen

(though, I'd prefer Jansen in a more attacking role)

[The Old Lady Hertha]

Unfortunately in the Asia tour a year ago Arne was disappointing at CB position against Korea. Arne is a mixed bag at CB...he can definitely do it and has the attributes to it, but I think we would be wasting him at that position unfortunately.