Review: German National Team News & Discussion Thread - WC 2014 & Beyond

Kirsten19 · Jul 13, 2014

New strikers?

New LBs?

Newcomers?

Lets discuss

And hopefully we can stop the new coach discussion for a while

Kirsten19 · Jul 13, 2014

Klose should be retiring from international football and give the younger kids chances. I assume Mario Gomez and Lasogga will be the possible successors, maybe Ducksch too if he manages to play well for Paderborn

Hoewedes is never a long-term solution at LB. Not sure who has the quality to be there, maybe Schmelzer?

P to the Wee · Jul 13, 2014

Durm at LB, definitely. We'll see how Götze develops, could be a F9. If not I like to try out Volland or Lasogga there.

Epitome990 · Jul 13, 2014

Erik Durm

P to the Wee · Jul 13, 2014

2016:

Neuer
Lahm Boateng Hummels Durm
Gündogan(please get healthy!)
Kroos Meyer?/Goretzka?/Khedira?
Müller Götze Reus

Kirsten19 · Jul 13, 2014

Epitome990 said: ↑

Erik Durm

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Only problem with Durm is that Klopp prefers starting Schmelzer over him in Dortmund when both are healthy/available; also interested to see how Plattenhardt performs in Hertha Berlin

If Lasogga can play like what he did last season, he is a very logical option for the NT. Volland should be playing as a winger. the arrival of Szalai and Modeste make Volland the only natural winger in Hoffenheim's starting lineup. hoffenheim wont play Volland up top with the options they have

Newcomers: I am not expecting Emre Can to make the squad if Benders and Guendogan are all fit to play. But Emre Can has a chance if they are unfit (and Khedira is very unfit anyway)

Knoche in my opinion is a better defender than Mustafi too.

P to the Wee · Jul 13, 2014

Kirsten19 said: ↑

Only problem with Durm is that Klopp prefers starting Schmelzer over him in Dortmund when both are healthy/available; also interested to see how Plattenhardt performs in Hertha Berlin

If Lasogga can play like what he did last season, he is a very logical option for the NT. Volland should be playing as a winger. the arrival of Szalai and Modeste make Volland the only natural winger in Hoffenheim's starting lineup. hoffenheim wont play Volland up top with the options they have

Newcomers: I am not expecting Emre Can to make the squad if Benders and Guendogan are all fit to play. But Emre Can has a chance if they are unfit (and Khedira is very unfit anyway)

Knoche in my opinion is a better defender than Mustafi too.
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Yeah Can is a good option. Ginter will probably further develop too. Wouldn't doubt that he's a reliable option by 2016. I think Klopp will slowly but surely begin tilting towards favoring Durm.

Kirsten19 · Jul 13, 2014

P to the Wee said: ↑

2016:

Neuer
Lahm Boateng Hummels Durm
Gündogan(please get healthy!)
Kroos Meyer?/Goretzka?/Khedira?
Müller Götze Reus
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No false 9 please, we need a proper striker up top

Lasogga, Gomez or Ducksch........Werner is another option who plays like a German Michael Owen

P to the Wee · Jul 13, 2014

Kirsten19 said: ↑

No false 9 please, we need a proper striker up top

Lasogga, Gomez or Ducksch........Werner is another option who plays like a German Michael Owen
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Forgot about Werner. Maybe not 2016, but 2018 he should be there.

Cuppo · Jul 13, 2014

And Draxler. He's a fantastic player who'll might play an important role around 2016 and 2018.

MatthausSammer · Jul 13, 2014

What I see our squad looking like:

LB: Schmelzer and Durm will be locked in a tough fight for Dortmund's starting LB position. I believe Durm is already better than Schmelzer, and get the sense that Schmelzer only has the advantage due to more experience. As a result, I also think Durm will eventually win the job, either in this season or the next. But, should Klopp refuse to develop Durm in favor of continuing to start Schmelzer, our alternatives will most likely be Plattenhardt, Oczikpa, and possibly Rode (Bayern have indicated they'll try to develop him as a fullback).

CFs: The man with the most potential to be immense for us at striker will be Werner. Hopefully his development accelerates on track for him to be a Müller-esque callup by 2016. But he's very raw, and has yet to play CF for Stuttgart. One would hope Ibisevic to Stoke rumors are in fact true so we can see Werner lead the line for VfB. But in the meantime, Gomez will be on the comeback trail, as will Lasogga. I don't see Klose playing a role beyond this Cup. So our options are basically Lasogga, Müller, and Gomez, and I'm willing to test them all, as, I believe, will Jogi.

Newcomers: Mustafi was shorthanded by being thrown in an unfamiliar position. I see that. But when the competition is fierce, you have to seize opportunities. I do not believe Mustafi will have a future with this team, not when lads like Knoche and Tah are chomping at the bit for callups. Knoche, if he continues his current level, will be an interesting player to continue to evaluate as having a serious future for the National Team. As will Brandt and Meyer, who also had very promising debut seasons, and will, IMO, eventually push out Podolski and possibly Draxler by 2018 at the most. Johannes Geis, particularly if Gündoğan's condition doesn't improve, given his current level of play, should be integrated as the future playmaking CM for Germany alongside Kroos at some point. Kramer and Gïnter will no doubt continue to receive opportunities as well.

P to the Wee · Jul 13, 2014

Cuppo said: ↑

And Draxler. He's a fantastic player. I think he'll play an important role around 2016 and 2018.
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Basically we have so much offensive talent coming up that we can use some as toilet paper

Kirsten19 · Jul 14, 2014

MatthausSammer said: ↑

What I see our squad looking like:

LB: Schmelzer and Durm will be locked in a tough fight for Dortmund's starting LB position. I believe Durm is already better than Schmelzer, and get the sense that Schmelzer only has the advantage due to more experience. As a result, I also think Durm will eventually win the job, either in this season or the next. But, should Klopp refuse to develop Durm in favor of continuing to start Schmelzer, our alternatives will most likely be Plattenhardt, Oczikpa, and possibly Rode (Bayern have indicated they'll try to develop him as a fullback).

CFs: The man with the most potential to be immense for us at striker will be Werner. Hopefully his development accelerates on track for him to be a Müller-esque callup by 2016. But he's very raw, and has yet to play CF for Stuttgart. One would hope Ibisevic to Stoke rumors are in fact true so we can see Werner lead the line for VfB. But in the meantime, Gomez will be on the comeback trail, as will Lasogga. I don't see Klose playing a role beyond this Cup. So our options are basically Lasogga, Müller, and Gomez, and I'm willing to test them all, as, I believe, will Jogi.

Newcomers: Mustafi was shorthanded by being thrown in an unfamiliar position. I see that. But when the competition is fierce, you have to seize opportunities. I do not believe Mustafi will have a future with this team, not when lads like Knoche and Tah are chomping at the bit for callups. Knoche, if he continues his current level, will be an interesting player to continue to evaluate as having a serious future for the National Team. As will Brandt and Meyer, who also had very promising debut seasons, and will, IMO, eventually push out Podolski and possibly Draxler by 2018 at the most. Johannes Geis, particularly if Gündoğan's condition doesn't improve, given his current level of play, should be integrated as the future playmaking CM for Germany alongside Kroos at some point. Kramer and Gïnter will no doubt continue to receive opportunities as well.
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http://www.ligainsider.de/timo-werner_2570/veh-sieht-ihn-im-sturmzentrum-86820/

Veh said he sees Timo Werner as a center forward, after his training with the team.

Perhaps Thomas Schneider saw him as a center forward too, just like where he played in the last ten years. But Ibisevic is more experienced and is a veteran presence. As Timo Werner is good enough to make it to the startelf for Stuttgart, Schneider might just wanna let him gain match practice first. Afterall, thats the key for a young talent. So if you are the coach, would you prefer Timo Werner on the bench? or simply play him and let him gain experience even if thats not his favorite position? I think Thomas Schneider chose the latter option

http://www.transfermarkt.de/timo-werner/leistungsdaten/spieler/170527/saison/2013

Timo Werner wasnt used as a striker by Vfb Stutgart is a myth. He was used by Stuttgart at the center forward position around 8-9 times last season. Basically he was used at LW/RW/HS/MS rotationally.

I see Lasogga, Mueller, Gomez, Ducksch and Timo Werner as realistic options up top for the NT next season.

MatthausSammer · Jul 14, 2014

Kirsten19 said: ↑

http://www.ligainsider.de/timo-werner_2570/veh-sieht-ihn-im-sturmzentrum-86820/

Veh said he sees Timo Werner as a center forward, after his training with the team.

Perhaps Thomas Schneider saw him as a center forward too, just like where he played in the last ten years. But Ibisevic is more experienced and is a veteran presence. As Timo Werner is good enough to make it to the startelf for Stuttgart, Schneider might just wanna let him gain match practice first. Afterall, thats the key for a young talent. So if you are the coach, would you prefer Timo Werner on the bench? or simply play him and let him gain experience even if thats not his favorite position? I think Thomas Schneider chose the latter option

http://www.transfermarkt.de/timo-werner/leistungsdaten/spieler/170527/saison/2013

Timo Werner wasnt used as a striker by Vfb Stutgart is a myth. He was used by Stuttgart at the center forward position around 8-9 times last season. Basically he was used at LW/RW/HS/MS rotationally.
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Of course its better for Werner to get playing time wherever possible in his first and possibly his second pro season, I was only speaking of the future, where he shines is as a CF.

HANS-GUNTER BRUNS · Jul 14, 2014

Kirsten19 said: ↑

Klose should be retiring from international football and give the younger kids chances. I assume Mario Gomez and Lasogga will be the possible successors, maybe Ducksch too if he manages to play well for Paderborn

Hoewedes is never a long-term solution at LB. Not sure who has the quality to be there, maybe Schmelzer?
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Overal Hoewedes did fine ( In general) and he seemed like getting better with each and every game...as a back i think consistency is very important ...

HANS-GUNTER BRUNS · Jul 14, 2014

P to the Wee said: ↑

Basically we have so much offensive talent coming up that we can use some as toilet paper
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Draxler for sure i agree...Sorry i can't see him improving..he seems a bit...what can i say ..too soft of a player!

Kirsten19 · Jul 14, 2014

Schmelzer Jansen Aogo are the only regular starting German LB in 1.BL

Not many options , maybe Plattenhardt

Völler's Mustache · Jul 14, 2014

My ideal way-too-early Euro 16 roster. Keep in mind, this is if all are healthy and progress as expected.

*Age in 2016 in parentheses

FINAL 23
GK: Manuel Neuer (30)
GK: Andre Ter Stegen (24)
GK: Bernd Leno (24)
RB: Phillip Lahm (32)
RB: Kevin Großkreutz (27)
CB: Mats Hummels (27)
CB: Jerome Boateng (27)
CB: Benedikt Höwedes (28)
CB: Matthias Ginter (22)
LB: Erik Dum (24)
CM: Bastian Schweinsteiger (31)
CM: Toni Kroos (26)
CM: Sami Khedira (29)
CM: Ilkay Gundogan (25)
CM: Lars Bender (27)
AM: Mesut Özil (27)
AM: Mario Götze (24)
AM: Julian Draxler (22)
RW: Thomas Müller (26)
RW: Kevin Volland (23)
LW: Marco Reus (27)
ST: Andre Schürrle (25)
ST: Pierre-Michel Lasogga (24)

STARTING XI
-------------------------------------Neuer-------------------------------------
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Lahm---------------Boateng-----------------Hummels---------------Durm
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
--------------------------------Schweinsteiger--------------------------------
----------------------Khedira--------------------Kroos-----------------------
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Müller--------------------------------------------------------------------Reus
------------------------------------Schürrle-----------------------------------

P to the Wee · Jul 14, 2014

I'd bring Podolski for whoever the 23rd guy is. He's huge for team chemistry and helped a lot in the World Cup

Völler's Mustache · Jul 14, 2014

P to the Wee said: ↑

I'd bring Podolski for whoever the 23rd guy is. He's huge for team chemistry and helped a lot in the World Cup
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I agree that he's great for chemistry, but his style of play is not very conducive to Löw's tactics. High pressure, possession, quick passing. He a great counter-attacking player, but that's just not what we do anymore. I think Merte, Poldi, and Klose (obviously) have all seen their last day at a major tournament for Germany.

MatthausSammer · Jul 14, 2014

P to the Wee said: ↑

I'd bring Podolski for whoever the 23rd guy is. He's huge for team chemistry and helped a lot in the World Cup
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I disagree. He can end his international career on a high note. Not interested.

Nimreitz · Jul 14, 2014

I expect Schweinsteiger and Lahm to be in the team in 2018. In fact, Lahm strikes me as someone who is going to play until he's nearly 40 like Lizerazu. The only real change from the semi-final team against Brazil is going to be Durm at LB, a new striker maybe Volland or Werner (but also maybe Gotze or Reus), and that's about it. There could be some shakeups in the attacking midfield line, Reus and Gotze being the most likely IMO. I think in 4 years time Reus and Gotze will be seen as superior options to Ozil and Kroos.

MatthausSammer · Jul 14, 2014

Nimreitz said: ↑

I expect Schweinsteiger and Lahm to be in the team in 2018. In fact, Lahm strikes me as someone who is going to play until he's nearly 40 like Lizerazu. The only real change from the semi-final team against Brazil is going to be Durm at LB, a new striker maybe Volland or Werner (but also maybe Gotze or Reus), and that's about it. There could be some shakeups in the attacking midfield line, Reus and Gotze being the most likely IMO. I think in 4 years time Reus and Gotze will be seen as superior options to Ozil and Kroos.
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Schweinsteiger is a question mark for 2016, let alone 2018. His injury history is not promising at all, and combined with his physical style of play, I don't think he'll be able to cope after a point. Lahm I agree; he looks like he could play for a while still. Durable, intelligent, not reliant on athleticism.

Nimreitz · Jul 14, 2014

MatthausSammer said: ↑

Schweinsteiger is a question mark for 2016, let alone 2018. His injury history is not promising at all, and combined with his physical style of play, I don't think he'll be able to cope after a point. Lahm I agree; he looks like he could play for a while still. Durable, intelligent, not reliant on athleticism.
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He'll only be 33 and player reputation counts for something in big competitions like this. I think he'll at least be in the 23 man squad even if he doesn't start for the team. I can certainly see him being eclipsed by, say Khedira/Gundogan or Kroos moving back to make room at AMC for Gotze, but it wouldn't surprise me to see him still out there in 2018.

MatthausSammer · Jul 14, 2014

Nimreitz said: ↑

He'll only be 33 and player reputation counts for something in big competitions like this. I think he'll at least be in the 23 man squad even if he doesn't start for the team. I can certainly see him being eclipsed by, say Khedira/Gundogan or Kroos moving back to make room at AMC for Gotze, but it wouldn't surprise me to see him still out there in 2018.
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Its not about being eclipsed though. Its about how much more punishment can his body take? He's struggled for fitness last season, throughout this tournament, struggled for fitness in 2011-2012 a decent bit, as well as throughout EURO 2012. Every time I saw Schweinsteiger go down for a prolonged period, my heart would stop, because with his history, everything had to be taken seriously.