He's been in great form ever since he came back from his post World Cup injury. So far this season he is also the leading chance creator in the Premium League As we saw again last nite - even on the break germany seldom has options to play the ball through. No one is making those runs.
Where he played during the WC vs Brazil. As CM dropping for- and backwards if neccessary. But mostly forward into AM behind the striker.
That midfield 3 of Schweini, Kroos, Khedira looked a very good unit. But then after their huge performance vs Brazil, bad luck means we've never seen it since.
The qualifications show we have real problems. We need both Khedira and Bastian healthy for the Euros, we don't have good replacements. Scoring is a real concern. I have been calling for a plan B, a towering striker like Gomez but considering the pool of players, that's not really going to work. To play Gomez and for him to be effective you need to deploy real wingers that are always looking for him - we don't have those players. To play Gomez with the current midfield players means that offense will break once he gets the ball. The scoring needs to come from the midfield but the following players are not scoring enough - Ozil, Kroos & Goetze. When the 3 are together, we will have a hard time scoring. While Reus missed a few chances, we know he is a great scorer. We need at least 2 midfield players who can score to start each game - Mueller and Reus.
Why is scoring a real concern? Surely defending is the real concern? Kroos is not going to score from the base of midfield
Finally back to Bastian - Khedira as double pivot? Instead of Gomez, why don't try Kruse, Volland, Lasogga, Ginzcek, or Meier?
Gomez is years ahead of these players and has tons of expirience whereas those mentioned have zero. It just doesn't make much sense to call up one of these classic forwards if you can call up Mario Gomez. That's it.
I agree that the Khedira-Schweini double 6 always looked great and that Kroos needs to play further upfront than lately. At the same time, it's important to keep on bringing in players...like Gündogan for example. He can bring a new dimension to the team. Özil is like a box of chocolates: You never know what you are going to get. Though admittedly, he has been rather good as of late. As for strikers, just a crazy thought: Why not try Poldi? I mean the only reason he was pushed to the left was because of the system change in 2008, yet he's still being played there (when he's being given the chance that is) even though we now have lots of better options. But up front, we lack those options. Granted, this is a desperate idea, but still worth a try in one of the upcoming friendlies. Having said that, I'm not really desperate yet. I'll let you in on one of the secrets of the German success...ready? ...here it is: Preparation. I'm sure the team will be well prepared for the Euro. Then the forwards will make better runs, the midfielders will know ahead of time where to play the pass and we will convert our time on the ball into more and better chances.
I think hed be as good there as anybody else weve got like Schürrle. They are pretty useless cause you cant play a high ball cause no one is able to head it in. And that applies to Poldi too.
Gundo can probably replace Khedira in the 4-3-3 He brings much of the same energy and is a better player. Agree re Kroos - rather see him partnered with Gundo and a genuine 6 behind
At the risk of being pelted with rotten fruit, Schmelzer has been good for Dortmund this season. He was solid at the end of the last season as well. I don't recall your FBs being star performers at the World Cup, so is it such an issue to have merely 'solid' players there who can do a reliable job and allow the real stars to shine? At RB, Ginter has only just started playing there for Dortmund and Can hasn't played there at all this season. The latter hasn't played well at FB for more than a season. Surely there are some dependable, 7/10-every-match German RBs in the Bundesliga who have played in that position regularly for a good few seasons?
I am thinking to drop Kroos and going with Khedira/Kramer, Schweini-Gundogan. We are just moving the ball around in midfield without much penetration and at the same time very open defensively. Kroos isnt good enough defensively. not enough energy and dynamism nor creative enough offensvely
It will be a tough decision for Loew to drop Kroos How about Lars Bender?, who is better?, Lars, Kramer, or Khedira?
Calls up players not suited to attacking football, then complains they aren't good at attacking football. Does Loew even scout guys that he calls up anymore?
I wouldn't drop Kroos. Play him in a double 8 with Gundogan and a real 6. Its too early, but maybe in WC 2018 we will see a three man middle like this: ----------Kimmich----------- ---Gundogan-----Kroos----
The problem now, the captain si Bastian, and the best playmaker is Oezil, so who will be dropped to the bench?