Review: Who will be 2012-13's Reus, Leitner & Ter Stegen? The possible breakout stars of the new Bundesliga

Kirsten19 · Aug 16, 2012

http://www.goal.com/en-gb/news/3275...2012-13s-reus-leitner-ter-stegen-the-possible

ANALYSISBy Enis Koylu
Since the radical re-think in Germany's approach to youth development in the wake of the national team's failure at Euro 2000, the Bundesliga has seen a multitude of young talents emerge, with many of them establishing themselves at both club and international level.
But there is a whole new generation breaking through. Die Mannschaft's youth ranks have been in impressive form in recent tournaments, and the country's top flight will soon be awash with a fresh batch of talent to complement the current crop.
And Goal.com are here to take a look at some of the players who could make a name for themselves in the Bundesliga in 2012-13, following in the footsteps of the stars.

DAVID ALABA | Bayern Munich, Defender, 20

Read more on Alaba

2011-12 SEASON STATS
Appearances

47
Goals

3
Assists

3
PLAYER PROFILE
Transfer value

€16m
Best attribute

Stamina
He's a bit like

Aly Cissokho
Alaba has long been touted with a big future in the game, but it was only last year that he began to take massive strides, and the Austrian now looks to have sealed his place in Jupp Heynckes' starting XI. A midfielder by trade, Bayern's full-back woes eventually led to the 20-year-old being shifted to the left side of defence.

And the change paid instant dividends. Bayern were able to halt a run of sub-par performances, and their good form carried them through to the Champions League final. He was unfortunate to miss the clash with Chelsea through suspension, but showcased his maturity by tucking home a penalty against Real Madrid in the semi-final, having already picked up a heartbreaking yellow card.

Having sustained a pre-season injury, he will miss the early part of 2012-13, but will hope to return as soon as possible and establish himself as one of the Bundesliga's elite full-backs.

KARIM BELLARABI | Leverkusen, Attacker, 22

Read more on Bellarabi

2011-12 SEASON STATS
Appearances

12
Goals

2
Assists

0
PLAYER PROFILE
Transfer value

€1m
Best attribute

Speed
He's a bit like

Marco Reus

Amid the horror show that was Bayer Leverkusen's 7-1 loss to Barcelona at Camp Nou in March, there was one bright spark: a young attacker by the name of Karim Bellarabi.

After Lionel Messi had made everyone perfectly aware of the gulf in quality between the two sides, the Germany Under-21 striker made his way from the bench, and scored a spectacular 90th minute strike so Robin Dutt's side had something to show for their 3,400 kilometre round trip.

With Eren Derdiyok leaving the BayArena for Hoffenheim this summer, and Stefan Kiessling's form perennially fluctuating, the 22-year-old will receive more playing time, and should be able to truly announce himself to a Bundesliga audience.

JULIAN DRAXLER | Schalke, Attacking midfielder, 18

Read more on Draxler

2011-12 SEASON STATS
Appearances

46
Goals

5
Assists

9
PLAYER PROFILE
Transfer value

€11m
Best attribute

Dribbling
He's a bit like

Mario Gotze

While it seems like an age since Julian Draxler took his first strides into the Schalke first team, the Germany international is still astonishingly young. Throughout last season, he balanced his footballing career with academic commitments, but has since finished school, and won his first cap for his country.

With Raul departed and Tranquillo Barnetta being snapped up on a free transfer, Draxler is widely expected to shift inside to take the Spaniard's slot behind Klaas-Jan Huntelaar. A big ask, you might say, but having spent over a year in the public eye, the 18-year-old prodigy seems more than capable of shouldering the burden.

And who knows? Perhaps he could even help Schalke to their first national title since 1958.

MEHMET EKICI | Werder Bremen, Midfielder, 22

Read more on Mehmet

2011-12 SEASON STATS
Appearances

22
Goals

1
Assists

4
PLAYER PROFILE
Transfer value

€5m
Best attribute

Vision
He's a bit like

Mesut Ozil

Mehmet Ekici enjoyed a modest first season at Werder Bremen after moving to the Weserstadion last summer from Nurnberg, but after a summer of change at the club, he can be expected to step into a key role in the coming campaign as Thomas Schaaf looks to put his faith in youth.

Prior to a season-ending injury at the beginning of April, the Turkey international, who represented Germany at youth level, was showing signs of improvement, Still, his latter performances have been rewarded with the No.10 shirt.

If Bremen are to achieve their goal of re-establishing themselves amongst Germany's elite, the 22-year-old will surely be critical to their plans.

PATRICK HERRMANN | Gladbach, Winger, 21

Read more on Herrmann

2011-12 SEASON STATS
Appearances

32
Goals

6
Assists

9
PLAYER PROFILE
Transfer value

€7.5m
Best attribute

Crossing
He's a bit like

Lukas Piszczek

While Marco Reus stole the headlines with his performances for Borussia Monchengladbach last year, he was aided by a very able supporting cast. Juan Arango and Mike Hanke were already known quantities, but Patrick Herrmann surprised everyone.

A tricky winger with a fantastic cross, he was devastating for Lucien Favre's side at times, not least in their commanding 3-1 victory over Bayern Munich in January, and was touted with a potential call-up to Germany's preliminary squad for Euro 2012.

The nod from Low did not come, but with the likes of Luuk de Jong and Granit Xhaka joining the Foals' squad, he may well win his place in the national side over the course of next season.

GRANIT XHAKA | Gladbach, Midfielder, 19

Read more on Xhaka

2011-12 SEASON STATS
Appearances

38
Goals

1
Assists

3
PLAYER PROFILE
Transfer value

€8.5m
Best attribute

Breaking up play
He's a bit like

Bastian Schweinsteiger

Another star to leave Borussia Park for pastures new after Gladbach's extraordinary 2011-12 season was Roman Neustadter. However, with the acquisition of former Basel player Xhaka, the Schalke-bound midfielder does not seem to be a loss by any stretch of the imagination.

The 19-year-old was a key cog in the side that shocked Manchester United in the Champions League. He was chased by a host of Bundesliga clubs going into the new season, but his compatriot Lucien Favre has managed to convince him that his future lies at Borussia Park.

With a young set of team-mates, and an ambitious, well-run club, the stage is set for Xhaka to set Germany alight in the coming seasons.

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Kirsten19 · Aug 16, 2012

My prediction:

More likely:
Julian Draxler (AM/LW, 19 years old, Schalke 04)
Joselu (CF, 22 years old, Hoffenheim)
Kevin Volland (AM/LW/SS, 20 years old, Hoffenheim)
Matthias Ginter (DM/CB, 18 years old, Freiburg)
Maxmillian Beister (RW/AM, 21 years old, HSV)
Leon Goretzka (DM, 17 years old, VfL Bochum) (but in 2nd Bundesliga)
Sebastian Polter (CF, 21 years old, Nuernberg)
Sonny Kittel (LW/AM, 19 years old, Frankfurt)

Less Likely:
Pierre Lasogga (CF, 20 years old, Hertha Berlin) (in 2nd Bundesliga, injued till November)
Peniel Mlapa (RW/CF, 21 years old, Borussia Monchengladbach) (injured till November)
Niclas Füllkrug (CF, 19 years old, Werder Bremen) (Werder Bremen's no.2 striker)
Samed Yesil (CF, 18 years old, Leverkusen) (Leverkusen sold Derdiyok, not many CFs left)
Antonio Rüdiger (CB, 19 years old, VfB Stuttgart)
Leonardo Bittencourt (AM. 19 years old, BVB Dortmund)
Timo Horn (GK. 19 years old, FC Koeln) (but in 2nd Bundesliga)

Unlikely:
Emre Can (DM, 18 years old, Bayern Munich)
Mitchell Weiser (RM/RB, 18 years old, Bayern Munich)
Marvin Ducksch (CF, 18 years old, BVB Dortmund)
Koray Günter (CB, 18 years old, BVB Dortmund) (Dortmund's CBs are young enough, competitive)
Tom Trybull (AM, 19 years old, Werder Bremen) (so-so Quality)

timh19 · Aug 16, 2012

I like Didavi but he will be back in January I think or was it November ?

timh19 · Aug 17, 2012

Also, Sebastian Rode and Sebastian Jung........
I hope Jantschke improves even more this season.

odd1234 · Aug 17, 2012

Typical goal.com really. I think Reus and Gotze could become players of the season really - there's nothing to stop them, both possess incredible ability both on and off the ball. Reus has been my watchout player for some time, I think he can end up scoring less for Dortmund (because they have a beast of striker) but assisting more maybe.

Also, I know people know i like this guy - but Kroos is going to explode, if he can stay fit, this season. The kid was on a role last year, and i think this year, with consistent time - he'll really start to shine.

Kirsten19 · Aug 17, 2012

odd1234 said: ↑

Typical goal.com really. I think Reus and Gotze could become players of the season really - there's nothing to stop them, both possess incredible ability both on and off the ball. Reus has been my watchout player for some time, I think he can end up scoring less for Dortmund (because they have a beast of striker) but assisting more maybe.

Also, I know people know i like this guy - but Kroos is going to explode, if he can stay fit, this season. The kid was on a role last year, and i think this year, with consistent time - he'll really start to shine.
Click to expand...

U on crack? they are not rising/up-and-coming prospects!!

they are estblished and already NT calibre players.

bayern15 · Aug 17, 2012

I think Gotze is overrated. I think he will fade this year and lose his spot in the NT for 2014.

Kirsten19 · Aug 18, 2012

Btw, I think Florian Hartherz debut season was solid. We don't have many decent LB prospects coming through

Hope he can continue his progress. May be an answer at that LB spot in the long run. Of coz there is Dudziak too

odd1234 · Aug 18, 2012

Kirsten19 said: ↑

Btw, I think Florian Hartherz debut season was solid. We don't have many decent LB prospects coming through

Hope he can continue his progress. May be an answer at that LB spot in the long run. Of coz there is Dudziak too
Click to expand...

Never heard of these players, BL1?

odd1234 · Aug 18, 2012

Kirsten19 said: ↑

U on crack? they are not rising/up-and-coming prospects!!

they are estblished and already NT calibre players.
Click to expand...

I meant for players of the season.

Dalmar · Aug 23, 2012

Belarabi
Pukki
Younes
Cigerci

I expect all four to establish themselves as starters. Cigerci and Bel to have an excellent season.

Top 20 according to Bild.
http://www.ligatotal.de/die-top-tal...58879852/tid_embedded/sid_52544476/si_0/index

The Bavarian Oak · Aug 28, 2012

odd1234 said: ↑

Never heard of these players, BL1?
Click to expand...

Since Kirsten is miserable at responding to questions, I'll help you out.

Florian Hartherz played some 1. BL last season for Bremen at LB.

Jeremy Dudziak is a 17 year old U19 LB for Dortmund and Germany.

The Bavarian Oak · Aug 28, 2012

Kirsten19 said: ↑

Unlikely:
Emre Can (DM, 18 years old, Bayern Munich)
Mitchell Weiser (RM/RB, 18 years old, Bayern Munich)
Click to expand...

I agree for the most part.

Emre Can is ready to play as a #6 right in front of the back 4 where he has a lot of time to read the game. As a #8 (CM) further up the pitch he would be completely overwhelmed by the speed of the game at the top level. I think a loan to team who uses a midfield diamond or 4-3-3 where he could play as destroyer would be very benificial.

Weiser is nowhere near ready for the 1. BL yet. He could also really use a loan, but probably in the 2. BL.

Out of all of Bayern's current youth players I think Lukas Raeder is the most ready for 1 BL play. Unfortunately he has a long term injury. His replacement, Leopold Zingerle, is not that far behind him though. I think both of them will end up playing 1 BL footy in the future.

RacMan93 · Aug 28, 2020

Any predictions for this upcoming season?