Thomas Hitzlsperger

[Projekt4]

Thomas Hitzlsperger boasts a superb shot, varied and intelligent passing, is able to keep possession and tackles. He's the most valuable German Bundesliga player at the moment. He's an unproblematic character and he's the one to fill the age gap between the NT midfield generations of Schneider/Ballack/Frings and Kroos/.../...

Thomas Hitzlsperger is good news and has four years as an NT regular starter before him.

Disagree?

[Proud_Pink_Cow]

I like Hitzlsperger alot. Had another great performance against Wolfsburg today (I especially liked that great chip/through pass to Basturk.) So...yes, I wouldn't mind continuing to see him in a Germany shirt in the future.

[Equilibrium]

After the starting 4 in midfield, he is the only other midfielder who has 100% ticket to Euro 08 due to his performances. He has matured tremendously in 1 season and has become a pretty good player. He is also a very versitile player, so I am very happy we have him. He definitely has a future in the NT shirt. He's also Stuttgart's leader which is very good, he can change games as he has done many times for Stuttgart.

[ForeverRed]

He came a long way from Bayern's youth team so I am very proud of him. He was one of my favorite players in his days at Aston Villa and I always hoped he'd make it into the NT and return to the Bundesliga. I'm surprised at how he has grown as a player and I think he'll only get better. I would be very comfortable knowing he is our back up to Frings next year and in the future.

[Projekt4]

A sub for Frings?
He's the best German midfielder at the moment, and I am highly doubtful about all four of Frings, Ballack, Schneider, Schweinsteiger being able to recover form and fitness before Euro 2008 to the extent that would justify benching Hitzlsperger (assuming that they all were better at some point...).

[Dagegen]

I agree with dhh28 and i think that Hitz should play as a starter instead of Schweinsteiger.

Not only because he is better, he has also deserved it more with his consistent perfomances in the Buli.

[ForeverRed]

A sub for Frings?
He's the best German midfielder at the moment, and I am highly doubtful about all four of Frings, Ballack, Schneider, Schweinsteiger being able to recover form and fitness before Euro 2008 to the extent that would justify benching Hitzlsperger (assuming that they all were better at some point...).

Right, he is amazing form but I don't think Loew will alternate those four when all are fit, especially not Frings or Ballack. There is a chance that Thomas might start for Schweinsteiger. As it stands now, there is no question about who deserves it more.

[Borussia]

I have to admit that I like "the Hammer", too! :) Good player and very nice guy. Nearby one of only few left footers in the national team...

[Equilibrium]

Over reacting much? .. Schweini plays much better in the NT than in Bayern, there is a difference. Hitz plays better for Stuttgart than he does for the NT, yet he still plays very well for the NT. He'll be in the bench come 08, we'll have the same 4 in midfield as we had in 06.

[Vfbstuttgartfan]

I think on his present performances Hitzlsperger deserves nothing else than to start for the NT.

He's been one of the sars in the Bundesliga this season and our best player. That has to be recognized. And I don't think Schweinsteiger comes even close to him in terms of performances this season.

[Cris 09]

...we'll have the same 4 in midfield as we had in 06.

NOT!!!!

You cannot say that - ever!!!

This is not 2006 and the players have matured or haven't and youngsters that played in 2006 have reached a level that will either tell Loew, I'm worht it or not!!!!

Loew has his favorites and Schweini might be one of them...but I don't think he'll play him simply because of what he has done in the past. Hitz should get the chance to start during the upcoming friendlies and if they battle for the spot...good, as long as the best player wins it and plays it.

[Equilibrium]

You'll see ;)

[Hendrik]

Isn't Hitz more suited to play in the center? If you want to replace Schweini I'd rather see both LBs out there on the left, Pander would also dramatically improve our set pieces which are nothing but a joke.

[aloisius]

Well he plays on the left of a midfield rhomb for vfb.

It’s a bit different to play on the left of a flat 4 in the midfield, but not much.

I would be very surprised to see schweini start over him in any formation.

[ForeverRed]

Isn't Hitz more suited to play in the center? If you want to replace Schweini I'd rather see both LBs out there on the left, Pander would also dramatically improve our set pieces which are nothing but a joke.

I think the center suits Thomas the best but he can and has played on the sides on several occassions, although not as an all out winger.

[Right Foot Planted]

I've said this before, and I'll say it again: Thomas is going to completely overtake Michael Ballack in that midfield role.

<-- His forward drive, athletic ability, and certainly read of the game are simply superd. Add a tremendous composure under pressure (a la last two games of last Bundesliga season), and a consistency in goal-scoring from midfield and you simply have a more positive footballing presence. A tremendously underrated player that seems to have overcome his temper, and is now fulfilling his potential fullstop.

Now, if only Mike Hanke would follow suit, completely.

[benztown]

Agreed. Hitz is probably the best player in Stuttgart right now (together with Gomez) and he definitely deserves a starting spot on the NT. And honestly, Schweini got nothing on him.

[squidward123]

have any of you read the guardian small talk segment with hitz? he has a go at england over the wembley game we won

[Equilibrium]

What exactly does he say?

[KumarsS]

I think the best option for Germany and Hitzlsperger currently is to play him in the LOM role, as such:

----------------FRINGS---------BALLACK-----------------
-SCHNEIDER-------------------------------HITZLSPERGER-

This way, if one of the three veterans falters to the degree that they shouldn't be starting anymore, Schweinsteiger can just plug the hole in the XI.