[Snakeater]

Who will be Germany’s midfield defensive dynamo at next year’s World Cup?

I, like most of the guys who frequent this board, desperately want Germany to put in a good showing at next year’s World Cup. Despite many positive developments during Klinsmann’s reign as national coach, I have my reservations about this squad and what it’s capable of.

Germany have their strengths: Lahm is back, Schweinsteiger continues to improve, Friederich is steady as always, and with Deisler’s re-emergence, Germany look strong on the flanks. With Podoloski and Klose, Germany have two strikers upfront who complement each other in physique and style. In Kahn and Lehmann, Germany have two keepers with loads of experience. If either of them suffer an injury or show poor form before next year’s World Cup, there are younger keepers waiting in the wings: Hildebrand, Weidenfeller, and then there are still others like Rost and Enke. Of course, Ballack is a world class midfielder, not as good as Ronaldinho now, Nedved a few years ago, nor Zidane at the turn of the century, but he’s a clear cut above the class of current German midfielders. Also, something special happens to him when he puts on the National Team’s jersey, as he tends to raise his play a level or two and leaves everything out on the pitch.

However, there are glaring weaknesses for Germany, specifically, down the middle of the park, Ballack aside. The lack of a competent central defender is worrying. Even more worrying is the complete absence of a steady, hard-tackling, hard-nosed defensive midfield dynamo who can push forward with decisiveness. In years past, Matthaus had a lock on this position and was one of the best in the world; attack or defend, he could do it all. In the mid-nineties, Jeremies and Hamann would play for the National Team, the former a no-holds barred defensive specialist and the ladder a competent defensive midfielder who pushed forward with competence and elegance. And, of course, no one can forget the steady Sammer and his brilliant performance during Euro ’96. He scored a couple of goals at the tourney which were a testament to his intelligence and ability to read the play, as he pushed forward at just the right time to score. As recently as the 2002 World Cup, there was Carsten Ramelow who was used a defensive midfielder and later put back to anchor central defense, playing as a sweeper. Ramelow had a stellar World Cup. All of these players were instrumental to the success of the squads for which they played.

This brings me to my question: Who will be the defensive midfield dynamo Germany has seemingly forever had at next year’s World Cup?...Is it Kehl? He isn’t currently in Klinsmann’s selection. Besides, I don’t think he’s good enough technically to make a difference at the world level. Will it be Ballack? Probably not. We need him to push forward and be Germany’s attacking midfielder. Is it Borowski? Many on this site have suggested that he’s ideally suited to the right side of midfield and doesn’t work well in a defensive midfield position. Will it be Frings? From what I’ve seen of Frings, he’s a very competent player in the Bundesliga but too slow and technically inastute to influence a match at the World Cup. Is it Ernst? See Frings. Fabian’s a good Bundesliga player, but he looks out of his element when playing for the National team. He doesn’t possess the skill or vision nor the relentless instinct required of a midfield dynamo. And the truth is, there probably isn’t a player like Matthaus, Sammer, Jeremies, Hamann (of 96) in the Germany setup. Or, maybe there is, and I just don’t know him.

Guys, I put the question out to you and everyone who visits and contributes to this board: Who will be Germany’s defensive midfielder at next year’s World Cup?

….If I may offer my own opinion on one front, I would urge Klinsmann to welcome Ishmael into the squad. That would solve one glaring weakness which is central defense. Then, he could worry solely about who he’s going to field in defensive midfield. About Ishmael, He’s made earnest requests to be included in Klinsmann’s lineup, requests which appear sincere. The way I see it, if the man has lived in Germany long enough, played for German clubs, taken the place of German player, has learned to speak German, then he’s welcome to play for Germany. Besides, there have been many that have gone the other way: who were born in Germany, grew up in Germany, played their youth football in Germany, played their professional football in Germany, obviously spoke the language, yet decided not to play for Germany. If Klinsmann were to allow Ishmael to play for Germany, I would see that as a move to reflect a just equilibrium of the talent that German football environment has produced in the last twenty-five, thirty years.

Anyhow, I want to hear from you guys about who are defensive midfield dynamo will be and what Klinsmann should with lack of quality at that position and in central defense.

Christian,

[Mehr]

This is a good post and I have been asking the same questions...

However when I got to the part about ismael getting a call up, I was lsort of schocked. Personally I think it would be a discgrace. Simply..the guy is not German. He is born and raised in france and been here for just a few years. This is not a club, its a country. To say its ok for Germany to pick this guy just because cb happens to be a weak spot is a joke. I am sure Klins and Bierhoff would never stoop this low thank god.

Anyhow...I think the German team is very strong. Like you said, the only major problems are centerback and defensive mid. Metzelder is getting back to his old self. Mertesacker has a lot of potential. Another option is Worns. He is experienced and reads the game well...however he is slow these days. With a quick defender like Metzelder...he might be the right option.

Defensive midfield for me has to be Kehl. I love his confidence..he is a true leader. Young but experienced. He is intelligent and contrary to what you said, I think he is quite good technically. Why Ernst gets picked instead is a joke to me. Ernst has proven nothing at this level..he is only a good bundesliga player. Hamann is another option but getting up there...I havent seen enough of him recently...is he even playing at Liverpool? Frings and Borowski are not natural defensive players.

[ohk4]

Originally Posted by Mehr

This is a good post and I have been asking the same questions...

However when I got to the part about ismael getting a call up, I was lsort of schocked. Personally I think it would be a discgrace. Simply..the guy is not German. He is born and raised in france and been here for just a few years. This is not a club, its a country. To say its ok for Germany to pick this guy just because cb happens to be a weak spot is a joke. I am sure Klins and Bierhoff would never stoop this low thank god.

Honest question/not trying to be argumentative: what do you think about Ferydoon Zandi playing for Iran? I know/assume he has Iranian parent(s) but wasn't he born and raised in Germany?

[Snakeater]

Guys, let's keep this thread focused on who will play defensive mid. for Germany next year. Whether Ishmael should be included in the squad or not should be the focus of another thread. It's my fault for including it in my post about who will be Germany's defensive mid. next year. My bad/

Christian,

[AGF Aarhus]

This is an excellent question, and has always been one of Germany's strengths.

Ballack is a much better player when he is able to roam forward safely with a D-Mid behind him. His best performances with the NT have come with Hamann filling that role (the same can be said of Gerrard at Liverpool).

As we know, Hamann, even if he is on the squad, is not a 90 minute player, and frankly I don't see an adaquate replacement.

I'm inclinded to think that Klinsmann may 'think outside the box' and simply not use a traditionally German D-Mid stopper setup. If you don't have a good option at that position, why not play to your strengths in another setup rather than playing to your weaknesses?

Anyway, my answer is that I don't see any good options here.

[Cazlon]

As i have posted in a similar thread lately, with the currently available players a straight 4-4-2 seems the best option.


-------------striker-------striker------------------
--------------------------------------------------
Schweini--Ballack---Borrowski/Trochowski--Deisler--
--------------------------------------------------
Lahm/Fathi-Metzelder---Mertesacker--Friedrich-----

Not necessarily a desirable formation, but there just isn't a defensive midfielder of the necessary quality at this point.

[Mehr]

I would agree, flat 4-4-2 seems best at the moment..however if the defense doesnt get its act together, I would consider a 3-5-2...anyways, heres my ideal formation.

--------------------Kahn
Friedrich-----Mertsesacker---Metzelder---Lahm
Deisler-------Ballack----Kehl----Schweini
-------------------Podolski----Klose

[ThreeStars]

I would definitely opt for Borowski. It´s true, he never really performed up to his skills on the national team, but he has the technical skill, he´s fast and intelligent.
Valerien Ismael would be a great central defender, not the right player for the defensive midfield position, though. Still, I regret that Klinsmann hasn´t taken his offer more serious. There are and have been quite a few naturalized germans on the national team: Gerald Asamoah, Fredi Bobic, Rainer Bonhof, Mustafa Dogan, Paul Freier, Maurizio Gaudino, Miroslav Klose, Bruno Labbadia, Martin Max, Jupp Posipal, Paulo Rink, Zoltan Zebescen, Mirko Votava, Darius Wosz and Sean Dundee.

[Mehr]

Borowski is talented and a good player but no defensive midfielder.

If only Ernst could step up his game, we would be set.

Another option is Baumann from Bremen.

They played defensive midfield in the Euro and really did well in breaking up attacks against the Dutch. However for me he is a last choice unless no one else can do the job.

[ForeverRed]

Yea Borrowski is better in a more versatile free roaming position, preferebly on the flanks with him drifting into the middle every now and then for a long distance shot, certainly not the anchor in discussion here.

Kehl has the ability, Sahin has the potential but that is wishful thinking right there. I don't think Klinsman will solve tthis problem in time and will be a problematic area during the tournament.