German National Team News & Discussion Thread - Post WC 2010

Merte is the best in the air however, but he can't defend high because of his pace.

 

Mertesacker in good condition is definitely better than Friedrich and Huth. He is by far the best in the air and has good positioning. Additionally he is above average in 1on1 situations and rarely fouls.

Friedrich has been even worse than Mertesacker this season, which actually was quite hard to "achieve". Haven´t seen much of Huth lately, but what he showed for the German NT was shocking.

For the future Höwedes and Hummels have to start! I guess this is clear to all of us. But Mertesacker has to be taken into consideration for the 3rd CB spot along with Boateng.

 

Huth has had an outstanding season.

 

Maybe true. He hasn´t been good for Germany. And he is slow and at times lethargic. But, if he had a good season then he should be the one battling out the 3rd spot as a CB with Mertesacker, as Boatengs season wasn´t overwhelming and he was used as a left or right defender in the majority of cases.

 

He had a few mediocre matches with Germany in 2005. He has developed a lot since then. He is a key reason why Stoke has had the season they have had today.

He'd be a solid back up for the NT.

 

I don't think so. Huth is more or less an English footballer, not a German player. He looks solid in the EPL (that's what people told me, I have to admit I haven't seen a single Stoke game), but that's what he was educated for: To be a huge rock standing at their own box, defend it against crosses, and boot the ball away. I don't want any quasi-English player in our team, their game isn't cultured enough to fit in. If he were that good that we should adjust our defensive game to his style... but we don't need a back up who doesn't really fit in.

 

He is a lot more than that...not to mention his ability to move forward and score goals as well - something that is not the easiest when you play for Stoke City.

As far as the cultured part...Prem defenders are defending against some of the best forwards and wingers in the world.

 

That's right... but do you remember the English defense in South Africa? I don't want any player who was educated like these guys in my team. Give me Hummels, Höwedes, Boateng, whoever.

 

That whole NT was in shambles that summer. England, as far as I am concerned, is the most overrated NT in the world.

The question is, Can Huth defend? Yes, and he's been pretty damn good at it.

 

I don't agree. My question is, does Huth fit into the German defense/team? I don't think so.

 

I think he does...why not?

Well, seeing as how you stated that you have not watched a single Stoke City match, we'll just agree to disagree.

 

Even though I think you're a bit harsh on Huth (considering his progress in the last 5 years) there is a bit of truth to that. Then again, neither Mertesacker or Westermann are "cultured" defenders either and Löw seems to love them.

 

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