Pierre Michel Lasogga
After the German starlet signed a new contract at Hamburger SV towards the beginning of July, Lasogga will be looking to kick on with his side in the Bundesliga this time round and will hope for a much more successful season, after his side narrowly escaped relegation in a thrilling tie against Greuther Furth. The forward scored 13 goals last term and has excelled in an extremely attacking position, always on the look out to move and create opportunities. He will hope to get a look in with the national side soon too, so this year could be vital.
Leon Goretzka
Leon Goretzka has excelled in the Schalke midfield, making around 20 domestic appearances and contributions in their Champions League campaign. A technically gifted player, confident and composed on the ball and in possession, he too will want to impress further to force a chance in the German national side. And to sum Goretzka up, Darius Wosz, a former Germany international and a man who coached the 19 year old from an even younger age, said the following:
"He is an exceptional player; I've not seen anyone like him at youth level. He has a clear head, he's mature, and nothing can distract him."
Kevin Volland
Hoffenheim star and German winger Kevin Volland has burst onto the scene along with Brazilian team-mate Roberto Firmino in a way which could never have been imagined. Volland is an influential player from the left or right flank, who can also more than capably play through the middle. He has the pace and strength in his locker to take on full backs and cross, or cut inside and shoot on goal, from distance if need be. He also has the ability to drop short to receive the ball and drive at an opponent with the intention of creating a chance. An exciting player to look, and if last year is anything to go by, he’s one to look.
David Alaba
Not that he is an unknown, or one to “keep an eye on”, as his quality was recognised years back, and his potential as a player has been noted by football fans across the globe for as number of years now. But the fact remains, Austrian David Alaba only turned 22 last month, meaning he is only going to get better, no matter how hard that may be to comprehend. He’s a superb LB, with pace and agility, great balance and the ability to cross with intent. Extremely useful from corners, costless kicks and penalties and with shots from distance, he has everything you’d want from your full back and at such a young age too. But Alaba can capably play in a CDM role and it appears Pep Guardiola could experiment with that this year. He may get even better this year, and who doesn’t want to witness that?
Ricardo Rodriguez
Swiss LB Ricardo Rodriguez had an excellent season at Wolfsburg last year and impressed to an extent at the World Cup too. Liverpool were interested, but a deal seems unlikely, and now we can’t wait to see more of this powerhouse of a full back. He is strong on the ball and strong in a tackle, with a great eye for a cross and possesses the intelligence to come inside whenever possible. One to keep an eye on for sure.
Max Meyer
18 year old Schalke midfielder Max Meyer scored 7 times in the Bundesliga last season, whilst also making the provisional 30 man squad for Germany in the World Cup. He is an exciting prospect, though his talent has already been showcased on some of the biggest stages and despite the young age, people are aware of the German wonderkid. Meyer can play centrally but drift into wide positions, creating opportunities and testing a goalkeeper from range. He is a potent threat with the ball at his feet and his control and composure is second to none. This year could see the making of Meyer.
Matthias Ginter
20 year old German CB Matthias Ginter has, in the last few weeks, finalised a move from SC Freiburg to Bundesliga giants BVB Dortmund, where he will look to showcase his talent and help his career move forward in the right direction. It is unaware as of yet how important Ginter is to Klopp’s plans and whether he will feature much in the Bundesliga, or the Champions League, but if it were to come down to quality of the defender, you can look no further. With age on his side, he has a lot to learn and lots of room for improvement, but what Ginter has already shown is that he’s an intelligent defender. Clever to read what the forward wants to do with or without the ball, and when to or not to dive in and take the ball, or when to force him back. This season could be interesting, as you’d think that he’d want to build on a successful season
Julian Brandt
Part of the squad that just won the U19 European Championships, this year could be an ideal time for Bayer Leverkusen’s Julian Brandt to step onto the world stage, and make his name known. An influential and effective player, he has bags of pace on the wing and lots of trickery in his locker. He has made appearances in the Bundesliga and tasted Champions League football and he’ll be looking for even more action this campaign. Whilst he is regarded as one of the bright young talents of the Bundesliga, he can force himself into the higher bracket, the better calibre and give himself a chance of gaining interest from Joachim Low with regards to the National Team.
Mario Götze
Okay. So not “one to look” or “one for the future”, but the man that we all know so well, the man who made that move from BVB to Bayern, the man who scored the single goal that won Germany the 2014 FIFA World Cup Mario Götze is still a young player on the look-out to improve as a player every year. This year is no different, and Götze will want to retain the Bundesliga title under his second season with Pep Guardiola, as well as wanting more success in the Champions League. Götze has skill, technique and ball control of the finest quality, certainly making him one of the most highly rated play-makers out there.
Davie Selke
Davie Selke of Werder Bremen is another of Germany U19’s European Championship winners, and the striker will be hoping for his career to take off after hugely impressing in the tournament. The 19-year-old has hardly made any appearances in Germany’s top division as of yet though, and you would think this year will be the year where we see what he is capable of.
Bremen GM Thomas Eichin said recently:
"We have a plan with him. He is going to be integrated into our Bundesliga side bit by bit. Any other club can save themselves the phone call."
