Germany is of course one of the favourites to win in Russia. Being a world power and World Cup holders are just one of the many reasons for being a top contender for World Cup 2018.
Germany’s national team boasts a large pool of talent who are almost all 30 years or younger. The reset and planning that the German football association (DFB) along with Bundesliga clubs worked on after disappointments between 1998 and 2004 is still producing results at most levels of football. Academies were opened and work on tactical and mental aspects of the game restarted. Money was spent on regional centers. Youth development – crucially agreed up on by the clubs – and training and coaching modernization has meant a steady supply of very capable players that generated successes and culminated with a World Cup win in 2014.
The team that will travel to Russia this June is very deep and very talented. The midfield of the team is filled with great players who have vast experience without being old. Here are some names with the number of international caps, goals and most if not all are regulars at big club level.
Sami Khedira Juventus 30 years old, 72 caps, 7 goals previously at Real Madrid and Stuttgart
Toni Kroos Real Madrid 28, 80, 12 previously at Bayern Munich and Bayer Leverkusen
Mesut Ozil Arsenal 29, 88, 22 previously at Real Madrid, Werder Bremen and Schalke
Ilkay Gundogan Manchester City 27, 22, 4 previously at Borussia Dortmund
Julian Draxler PSG 24, 40, 6 previously at Wolfsburg and Schalke
Emre Can Liverpool 24, 20, 1 previously at Bayer Leverkusen and Bayern Munich
Julian Weigl Borussia Dortmund 22, 5, 0 previously at 1860 Munich
Leon Goretzka Schalke 23, 12, 6 leaving to Bayern Munich in summer 2018
Sebastian Rudy Bayern Munich 28, 24, 1 previously at 1899 Hoffenheim
This depth of talent will be complemented by forwards such as Thomas Muller and Timo Werner and defenders such as Joshua Kimmich, Mats Hummels and Jerome Boateng along with Manuel Neuer and Marc-Andre ter Stegen in goal to showcase the team to beat.
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