Inga Najute
In recent years, mainly thanks to a number of youth programmes supported by the German FA, the country’s clubs have brought through a raft of promising players. It seems not a season goes by in the Bundesliga where several new talents do not emerge; perhaps the best case in point is Thomas Muller, who broke through at Bayern Munich, won the Bundesliga, travelled to the World Cup and ended up the tournament’s joint top scorer. And all this during his first season in Bayern’s senior side.
The current 2010/11 campaign has proven to be no exception, with a number of youngsters, some more established than others, confirming their status as ones to watch in the months ahead.
We run through the top ten fledgling talents in the Bundesliga:
1. Lewis Holtby – Mainz; on loan from Schalke – 20 years old – Winger
Holtby is surely one of the most promising wingers in Germany and already established as captain of the Under-21 team. The Schalke star is a superb passer of the ball and combines top notch crossing with outstanding technique, which has drastically improved over the last few years. After a string of fine displays with surprise package Mainz this season, interest in the winger is steadily growing. Holtby also faces a difficult decision at international level, where, with an English father and German mother, he is eligible for either national side.
2. Marko Marin – Werder Bremen – 21 years old – Attacking Midfielder/Winger
Marin has carried around the label of the next big thing in German football for the past few seasons, but it does not seem to have been a burden he has been unable to cope with. Since joining Werder Bremen from Borussia Monchengladbach in 2009, Marin has impressed with his quick feet, pacey runs and dribbling ability. It was these talents which ensured him a spot on the plane to South Africa last summer. Still to really find form and consistency this season, Marin has the potential to become a key player for Werder and one of the best attacking midfielders in the Bundesliga for years to come.
3. Mario Gotze – Borussia Dortmund – 18 years old – Attacking Midfielder
Just 18 years old, Gotze has already attracted the attention of a whole army of scouts and fans after some sensational performances for Germany’s Under-17s, who went on to win the European Championship in 2009. The new season has begun well too for Gotze, as Dortmund coach Jurgen Klopp has trusted him with a spot in the starting eleven. It is a vote of trust the midfielder has been keen to repay and, judging by three goals and four assists in his eleven matches so far, is a debt he will work off in next to no time.
4. Nuri Sahin – Borussia Dortmund – 22 years old – Midfielder
Another young talent brought through Dortmund’s youth system, Sahin became the youngest ever player to score in a Bundesliga match when he was just 17. An intelligent midfielder with great vision, the Turkish international really blossomed in the German top flight last season and continues to impress with solid performances for the Ruhr club. Coming from a Turkish family, Sahin chose to represent the country of his parents instead of Germany, and has 22 caps to his name already.
5. Toni Kroos – Bayern Munich – 20 years old – Attacking Midfielder/Winger
Despite his tender years, Kroos has already achieved much in his short career. Bayern Munich’s attacking midfielder was awarded the Golden Ball as the best player in the Under-17 World Cup in 2007 and played his first game for Bayern when he was just 17. Next Kroos helped Bayer Leverkusen to a top four finish last season, before being recalled by the Allianz Arena outfit. Kroos’ creativity, technique and versatility are highly rated by Germany coach Joachim Loew, who has guaranteed the youngster some playing time despite much competition.
6. Richard Sukuta-Pasu – St. Pauli; on loan from Leverkusen – 20 years old – Striker
Leverkusen’s Richard Sukuta-Pasu has been labelled “the black Podolski” by the German media and great things are expected of the striker. The 20-year-old hitman has a prolific record in front of goal at Under-17,19 and 20 levels for the German national team, picking up the Under-19 European Championship in 2008 and scoring the winning goal in the final against Italy. Sukuta-Pasu has impressed so far this season with St. Pauli, but saw his momentum interrupted for several weeks due to ankle ligament damage.
7. Peniel Mlapa – Hoffenheim – 19 years old – Striker
Peniel Mlapa won the German Young Player of the Year last season while turning out for 1860 Munich and Hoffenheim pulled off quite a coup when signing the striker; Mlapa is considered one of the hottest prospects in German football. His intelligence, strength and aerial ability, combined with good technique, make the Togo-born hitman a real threat in the box. The 19-year-old’s string of fine performances last season earned him a spot in Germany’s Under-21 squad, while this year he has already broken into the reckoning at Hoffenheim and is expected to really shine when he settles down.
8. Shinji Kagawa – Borussia Dortmund – 21 years old – Attacking Midfielder
21-year-old Japanese midfielder Kagawa joined Dortmund this summer from Cerezo Osaka for just €350,000 and is already looking a steal. The midfielder has surprised many in the Bundesliga with his shooting ability, along with clean crisp passing and a talent for dribbling out of tricky situations. Kagawa does appear to have what it takes to develop into an accomplished attacking midfielder over the next few years. So far the Japanese youngster has bagged six goals in thirteen games for BVB and is one of the reasons behind Dortmund’s successful run in the Bundesliga.
9. Mats Hummels – Borussia Dortmund – 21 years old – Centre Back
Hummels is widely believed to be one of Germany’s best young defenders and a bright future surely awaits him. The Dortmund man, a product of Bayern Munich’s youth academy, boasts sharp marking and tackling skills and, following a loan spell at Signal Iduna Park, did not take long to convince BVB to swoop for his services on a permanent basis. Hummels has continued to produce the goods, leaving Bayern regretting allowing the defender to depart.
10. Diego Contento – Bayern Munich – 20 years old – Left Back
Contento, another Bayern Munich youth academy graduate, is a talented left back. After signing a professional contract in January, the Italian-German went on to impress fans with his displays in both the Bundesliga and Champions League where he instantly looked at ease. Held in high regard by the coaching staff at the Allianz Arena, Contento looks set for a big future at Bayern. In recent weeks however, a groin injury has hindered his progress this season. Bayern need him back soon however.
