Review: German Players Development Discussion - 2016/17

http://www.thisisanfield.com/2017/0...talking-points-manchester-city-1-1-liverpool/

Can impresses, Coutinho struggles, Lallana misses – 6 talking points from Man City 1-1 Liverpool

Can Can Make the Holding Role His Own?

After escaping a booking in the opening stages of the game, Can settled into his holding midfield role and put in one of the best performances we’ve seen from him in the position.

The German midfielder was impressive earlier in the season in a slightly more advanced role but suffered a mid-season slump with some inconsistent performances.

Recently, though, he’s put in some good shifts in Jordan Henderson‘s absence, providing a physical presence in front of the defence.

Can is a player who takes some time to settle into a position once he returns to the starting eleven, but on this performance, he looks like he could make this deep lying midfield role his own.

Once Henderson is back many would expect him to replace Can and slot back into his holding role as captain, but his Can’s displays will give Klopp plenty to ponder when this time comes.

 

Toni Kroos: "I would like to travel to the United States one time and maybe even spend a longer time there with my family. But not as a football player. That does not interest me. No matter if it's China, USA or whatever, I won't do that.

http://www.realtotal.de/kroos-ueber-ancelotti-abschied-fanden-es-alle-schade-und-traurig/

 

http://www.squawka.com/news/mustafi...senal-2-2-man-city/928136#e5c1Als31Xxmlmwp.97

Mustafi finally stands up without Koscielny: Five things learned from Arsenal 2-2 Man City

2. Shkodran Mustafi stands tall

The German international began the season in great form. In fact he didn’t even taste defeat in the Premier League until his 16th appearance which was all the way at the end of January. He looked like he was the defender Arsenal have needed for years.

But since that loss, he’s struggled. He’s not looked anything like as good. The Gunners have lost four of their last five games, an incredibly poor run for a team as well-resourced as they are. Then today against City, with his side 1-2 down at half-time and with Local Legend Laurent Koscielny off injured, Arsenal needed Mustafi to stand up.

And that’s exactly what he did. The German put in an impressive performance, repeatedly turning away City’s attacks and leading the defensive organisation in the face of opposition pressure. More than that, he forced the ball back into the box for Arsenal to score their first equaliser, and rose up further still, towering above everyone as he headed home the Gunners’ brilliant second leveller.

4. Mesut Özil got dribbled by Willy Caballero

With about 10 minutes to go, Nico Otamendi miscontrolled a simple long-ball, fumbling it back towards his own goal and sending Mesut Özil into a race with Willy Caballero. This was clearly going to either end with an Özil goal or a penalty for Arsenal.

It ended with Willy getting the ball, then comfortably knocking it against Özil for a goal kick. A goal kick. Özil couldn’t even get a corner out of a situation where a corner was the absolute minimum one could expect to get. It was absolutely pathetic.

Özil actually got an assist today (remember when he used to get them every match?) as it was his corner that Mustafi turned in, but beyond that set-piece he offered nothing. He looks absolutely useless and, most oddly for a player who has gotten so much rest of late, he seems to be exhausted.

Özil may be happy to renew his contract with Arsenal this summer on their terms, but playing like this should they even offer him the terms?

5. Leroy Sané is settled in England

When Leroy Sané first arrived for an enormous fee and plenty of hype, people expected instantaneous fireworks. Instead they got, well nothing at first. He didn’t play for three games, and despite a promising debut off the bench in the Manchester Derby, his start to the season was inconsistent.

Many theories were posited for this, with the most obvious one: he was 20 years-old in a new club, country and culture. It was going to take him time to settle in. Since he turned 21 at the start of 2017, Sané has come to life and now looks just as good as promised.

Today against Arsenal he was sensational. Slicing and dicing with the ball at his feet and even without. His run for the opening goal was as calm as his finish was, skipping ’round Davide Ospina. He created no chances, but then that’s not his role. He’s the change of pace, the penetrator, the spark.

In the second half he was often the one City would look to, expecting him to hold his opponents off and skip by them. That’s a lot to ask of a 21 year-old, but Leroy Sané is more than up for the challenge as today showed. He’s fully settled in England and totally comfortable in his role in Guardiola’s side.

 

You realize that Schalke had 5 (Faehrmann, Hoewedes, Kehrer, Goretzka, Meyer) + 2 German born dual nationals (Caliguri, Choupo-Moting). While Koeln had 8 (Horn, Kluenter, Heintz, Hector, Lehmann, Hoeger, Clemens, and Rausch) right?