German Fraulein National Team 2020 & beyond

Obviously a 22yo Brand isn't going to be the complete player yet. But when I compare her to a 22yo Hansen scoring 6 goals 10 assists for Wolfsburg, then two years later producing 8 goals 27 assists..., yeah... something needs to happen soon lol.

If I'm her club/wnt coaches, I'm looking at a dribbler who's producing close to 50% success rate carrying the ball, to finally start to showcase the maturity that can take her from a single digit assist player, and convert her into a double digit assist threat, before she truly focuses any attention towards developing an ability to score goals.

Age 23 Bühl 60 games deep into her wnt career, is progressing smoothly towards being recognised as a legit world class offensive player for her national team. But 55 games into her wnt career, it's incredibly hard to know when, or if we ever see Brand take that next leap forward in the development of her own game...

And with new wnt coaches rebuilding the attack, I'd like to see this coincide with the improvement in Brand's general effectiveness as a wide forward; especially if this see's her continue on the same side of the field as the always underrated by consistently world class Gwinn.

 

Oh... and until something significant changes, I HOPE Freigang isn't seen as the wnt's coaches long term answer to their CAM/2nd forward position...

Yes... seeing Dallmann for 90 mins finally thrive in the CAM role for the wnt might be the signal we're about to witness a different Freigang in the same role for the wnt...

But watching the praise Freigang is receiving for her club form comes across as slightly concerning to me lol, knowing we've all seen something like this previously in the form of Mandy Islacker.

Islacker never being an elite forward playing on the elite stages of this game, would showcase an ability to break the 20+ goals barrier at club level, with the peak of her career scoring a late goal as a substitute in a UWCL final.

And after years of watching Freigang's attributes change as a forward, regardless of her goals this season, I'm still not seeing someone who's playing at the level of the games elite forwards, and someone nowhere near the games best CAM's either.

 

That was quick! I'm guessing the venues haven't been announced yet.

 

DFB: "The exact kick-off times and venues will be announced in the next few weeks."

 

Cool, I'll be happy as long as they don't wait until mid or late January for instance to announce them.

 

Johannes thinks she'll be able to become the wnt's #1 once Berger steps aside.... LOL... I don't think this is going to be her reality over the next few years, but I respect the honest and open indication of ambition.

 

Who would be the wnt's #1 once Berger steps aside then? She is already 34.

 

If I'm looking at Germany's various GK options, thinking about who's best within the modern demands placed on GK's during games right now, I actually think Mahmutovic, or Winkler, the two names with the highest long term potential...

However, the only problem with both these GK's is their current club situations, where Mahmutovic barely see's any match time as the main back up option for Grohs, while Winkler is the #1 GK for a low mid table Essen.

A lot of this may actually depend on what happens after Frohms leaves Wolfsburg at the end of this season, as I wouldn't be shocked to see Winkler receive the opportunity to replace the former long term wnt #1, in the process moving her self into a prime situation to be a regular wnt selection.

With a 20yo Mahmutovic probably another season or a potential loan move away from being able to find enough regular match time to place herself into future conversations for the senior wnt squad too.

I even really like what I've seen from Borggräfe with Freigburg this season, highlighting how much younger GK talent will be fighting for the wnt's GK places in future; a genuine change in the wnt's prior attitudes for GK selection, where we'd typically see options have to wait until their mid/late 20's before receiving real senior level recognition.

 

Oh... and this isn't me simply hating on Johannes or Grohs, I just don't see either of these GK's producing the in game moments of quality we've seen from Frohms, or Berger...

I'm pretty sure the Bayern coach has even openly discussed the key flaws of Grohs being weak at saving certain types of shots, while we've all seen Johannes fail to make basic saves as she even manages to produce huge match deciding errors on what should be basic catches...

Right now, if I was to highlight the best attributes of Johannes or Grohs, it would be in the area of of PK saves, or close range reaction stops.

So it should be interesting to see how all of Germany's young GK's continue to develop over the next few years, as we could have a unique situation where Germany might continue to have different #1 GK's for the next 2 major tournaments...

 

Potentially maybe but no coach is going to put them in the starting 11 unless Johannes is injured.

 

Listening to Wück's early plans for this team, he's already stated Berger's coming absence from the next round of friendlies means he'd be actively looking to test new GK's in the #1 position...

And when we all saw Winkler elevated from the u23's for the match Vs Australia, I think it should have all but confirmed her to be one of those potential new names we'll be seeing in a senior team GK Jersey very soon...

 

The next Euro u19 qualification squad has been selected....

GK's:
Thea Farwick SV Meppen
Paula Hoppe 1. FC Köln
Janne Krumme FSV Gütersloh 2009

Outfielders:
Maresa Arici Borussia Mönchengladbach
Lisa Baum Hamburger SV
Nadine Bitzer TSG Hoffenheim
Delice Boboy Bayer Leverkusen
Karla Brinkmann VfL Wolfsburg
Estrella Merino Gonzalez Bayer Leverkusen
Merle Hokamp FSV Gütersloh 2009
Greta Hünten FC Bayern München
Melina Krüger Hamburger SV
Emma Memminger Eintracht Frankfurt
Laila Portella FC Bayern München
Milena Röder TSG Hoffenheim
Rosa Rückert Eintracht Frankfurt
Leonie Schetter TSG Hoffenheim
Maj Schneider SC Freiburg
Marina Scholz 1. FC Nürnberg
Svenja Vöhringer TSG Hoffenheim
Tessa Zimmermann Eintracht Frankfurt

 

Having seen Wück's junior teams focus so much on the deployment of incredibly impressive CAM's, I'm not surprised to see Sehitler added to the senior wnt so early.

But I'm conflicted with the frustrating removal of Endemann, for the completely unnecessary addition of Zicai..., and not pleased to see the removal of Anyomi so the still fraudulent influence of Freigang can return...

Hoffmann isn't ever going to be better than Cerci, or Kössler either, making it frustrating to see her instantly return in a post Popp era when Schüller still absent through injury.

Plus still not seeing a new CB option is will never not be annoying lol. With the only hope here, is knowing how Linder was deployed as a CB vs Australia, leaving me still willing to believe the coaches do understand how much more effective someone like Wolter could be in this type of similar positional switch too...

So, Zicai is definitely doing well this season, but in my opinion still NOT close to the level of Endemann. And honestly... if healthy, I still think Bender should have been the first u20 player selected for the senior team too, further removing any need for Zicai to be part of the senior wnt right now.

 

On Call list....
Nicole Anyomi Eintracht Frankfurt
Ann-Katrin Berger NJ/NY Gotham FC
Pauline Bremer Brighton & Hove Albion
Sara Däbritz Olympique Lyon
Vivien Endemann VfL Wolfsburg
Kristin Kögel Bayer Leverkusen
Paulina Krumbiegel Juventus Turin
Lena Lattwein VfL Wolfsburg
Lina Magull Inter Milan
Shekiera Martinez SC Freiburg
Marie Müller Portland Thorns FC
Carolin Simon FC Bayern München

Anyomi, Däbritz, Endemann, Lattwein, Magull, Simon, could all legitimately provide strong arguments to be in the full squad, with one or two of these names being better options than some of the players who'll be considered starters...

Plus I'm starting to feel like Müller is receiving the same treatment Linder would feel under MVT...; where it obvious she's already good enough to start for the wnt, but is being stupidly overlooked on the back of more inadequate player analysis.

I honestly have no idea what Lattwein has done to see her status free fall so low with the wnt coaches..., and can't grasp how Simon isn't in the full squad ahead of Rauch.

But knowing it should take no more than 4 games for Wück to build his new identity of this team, I think it's interesting to see him almost actively ignore the needs of the defence, to instead decide to focus almost all of his attention on re-building the mid-field and attack.

As he not only continues to select players who don't really score, or contribute towards creating scoring chances very effectively in the league, he's also doing this while ignoring some of the national player pools best progressive passers too.

 

Gräwe, Senß, Nüsken, Minge, the 4 CM/DM's selected, Dallmann, Freigang, Sehitler the 3 players I'd associate with the role of CAM's. It's pretty wild to look at past and present match data and notice the step down in productivity that arises when you compare this type of mid-field player selection, with the options we'd previously see under MVT/Hrubesch...

I mean... if Oberdorf - Däbritz - Magull - Lattwein - Lohmann would all combine under MVT to create an impressive peak, and Minge - Nüsken - Popp - Lohmann - Senß come together during the Olympics as the underwhelming collective with Hrubesch. Maybe Wück's selection currently sits somewhere in the middle...?

Struggling to move the ball efficiently enough to break down Australia's defence, and seeing various individual errors the reason behind his team conceding 5 goals in his first two matches, there's clearly structural issues that will need to be fixed before this team resembles anything on the level of a seriously Euro winning team.

I'd just hope the coaches identify Gräwe, Senß, as the potential double 6 to become an upgrade over what was witnessed during the Olympics. With Dallmann in one match already contributing something as a CAM I've never seen from her with prior coaches, suggesting we could also be about to witness an upgrade in general productivity within this role if compared to the Olympic team.

 

Ughhhhhhh.....


Really... so she's a clear #10 now.... even though Freigang a false 9/CAM for her club, where she's only contributed an amazing ONE assist so far this season.

Yes... outside of goals, it needs to be stated Freigang does lead the league this season in creative factors like attempted progressive passes, but really this category just means she's actually busy contributing a whole lot of nothing lol.

Me saying this, as better metrics related to being a strong CAM, currently has her a distant 9th place compared to a 2nd place Kowalski this season when it comes to big factor like shot creating actions.

Both Kowalski, and Fudalla also beating Freigang in the category of Key Passes, where both currently sit #2 and #3. All the data I'm seeing saying Freigang actually a #9 this season lol, as Anyomi supposedly playing in a more advanced role beats Freigang in assists and passes into the penalty area too...

 

Right now, the best performing senior club level CAM's within Germany player pool are Magull, Kowalski, Fudalla, with a host of AM's also performing at a higher level of creativity than Freigang.

However, I also have to recognise we all recently witnessed Dallmann Vs England produce her best single 90 mins performance for the wnt within a CAM role she'd previously appear lost/completely ineffective; suggesting we could potentially see something similar with an equally underwhelming figure like Freigang once she's given the same role within Wück's wnt...

The issue of not having a CAM on the field for much of the game Vs Australia resulted in the teams return to the unclear style of past coaches, placing a little more insight on why we're probably seeing Şehitler being brought into the senior team so early as a potential wild card.

Without the old guard anymore, Germany's new look mid-field/attack lacking any clear sources of goals beyond Bühl, places even more importance on coaches finding new individuals who can replace or upgrade what was lost.

In future, I still believe Oberdorf's pre injury talk of wanting to try and push for a return back her old AM days, could see her take over being the wnt's first choice CAM if Wück takes the time to finally establish a strong base of CM/DM's.

But removing Endemann, and Anyomi, still seems highly confusing right now when you simply assess their obvious positive attributes in creating and scoring goals..., and compare those to Hoffmann, or Zicai...

 

A lot of this early stage of Wück era Germany, to me really feels like opposing ideas coming to some form of compromise...

Not addressing any of the defensive depth concerns, making minor adjustments to the selection of the mid-field, but going full on experimental with the attack...

It might only take 4 games for us to see Wück's style of play established, but I have a feeling we won't witness his vision for the player pool for at least another year.

 

The latest u23 Squad selection...

GK's:
Rebecca Adamczyk SC Freiburg
Rafaela Borggräfe SC Freiburg
Laura-Johanna Dick TSG Hoffenheim

Outfielders:
Anna Aehling Eintracht Frankfurt
Loreen Bender Bayer Leverkusen
Gia Corley TSG Hoffenheim
Vanessa Diehm TSG Hoffenheim
Laura Gloning FC Bayern München
Kristin Kögel Bayer Leverkusen
Julia Landenberger RB Leipzig
Tuana Mahmoud Werder Bremen
Shekiera Martinez SC Freiburg
Larissa Mühlhaus Werder Bremen
Marie Müller Portland Thorns FC
Sophie Nachtigall Eintracht Frankfurt
Selina Ostermeier Bayer Leverkusen
Katharina Piljic Bayer Leverkusen
Marleen Schimmer RB Leipzig
Tomke Schneider Eintracht Frankfurt
Jella Veit Eintracht Frankfurt
Carlotta Wamser Eintracht Frankfurt
Sophie Weidauer Werder Bremen
Sofie Zdebel Bayer Leverkusen

 

5 players each named from Eintracht Frankfurt, and Bayer Leverkusen, we also have some returning u20 WC players, and a few new faces this time...

I'm 100% convinced Bender not only a superior player than Zicai, with Alber injured we should have also seen Bender join Sehitler to become the first u20 players elevated to the senior team.

However, the wnt coaches rewarding club form, it's interesting seeing 24yo Borggräfe, 25yo Ostermeier, and a surprising return to the wnt program for 24yo Schimmer, going alongside the return of strong former u20 names like Bender, Diehm, Gloning, Nachtigall, Schneider, Veit, Zdebel.

In my opinion Müller should have also been moved up to the senior side, as I don't know why the wnt coaches are pretending a regular who impressed with Freiburg, and continues to be a starter on her US team, still needs to be trailed within the u23's...

But overall it's healthy to see the significant player depth on show here, as these are some of the names who we're left out, placed on the reserve list....
Alina Axtmann SC Freiburg
Laureta Elmazi SGS Essen
Vanessa Fudalla RB Leipzig
Mathilde Janzen Kristianstads DFF
Natasha Kowalski SGS Essen
Nina Lührßen Eintracht Frankfurt
Julia Mickenhagen Bayer Leverkusen
Paulina Platner SGS Essen
Beke Sterner SGS Essen
Selina Vobian SC Freiburg
Lina von Schrader RB Leipzig

 

Pucks being ignored continues to be HIGHLY disappointing, knowing regardless of age she remains one of the best CB's in the league, but stuck within a wnt program that doesn't seem to understand the benefits of selecting CB's that enjoy defending, or actually defend well...

Plus I will say this about Gloning... always appearing to be a strong youth player, she'll either need to change clubs, or go on loan, if she's going to remain relevant in future as a senior prospect if it means competing for wnt recognition alongside the current list of talents within the various FB player pool.

While Schimmer being a highly erratic and enigmatic attacker, seems to have caught the attention of the wnt coaches for the smalls glimpses something potentially special within a wide forward role.

Schimmer not demonstrating any credible end product in assists or goals, still been among the leagues best for involvements in her teams goals, while the amount of successful carries she's produced has her among the leagues best dribblers too.

If Schimmer can just improve her ability to dribble with the ball over slightly longer distances, it would enable her to enter the oppositions penalty box more consistently, in the process seeing her emerge as a legit wide forward option for the wnt.

 

Jule Brand injured (left ankle) and replaced by Vivien Endemann

 

Zürich and Bochum (I hope her geography knowledge is better than your football knowledge

Show Spoiler Hide Spoiler

best player

)