Today’s article focusing on youth turns an eye to the Bundesliga. Dortmund’s title triumph last season was as famous for its young squad age as it was for its refreshing, attacking football and as we delve into the options for our Under 21 XI for August, there are plenty of eye-catching performers worth a mention.
Many clubs are continuing to take Dormtund’s lead this season and already this policy is paying off- up near the top of the table, second-placed Schalke have already fielded six players aged twenty-one or under, while fifth place MGladbach have played seven. Here’s a look at some of the stand-out players from the month gone by:
Best Goalkeeper
Marc-André ter Stegen, Borussia MGladbach. Age 19. WhoScored rating 7.51
The MGladbach stopper has continued his brilliant end to last season with a string of superb performances in August. Ter Stegen has played every game for his side, chalking up 1 clean sheet and conceding just 3 goals as MGladbach sit fifth. He has averaged 5.25 saves and made 3 good claims per game and picked up a man of the match performance for a defiant opening day display that helped his side to a shock 1-0 victory at Bayern Munich.
Best Defender
Kyriakos Papadopoulos, Schalke 04. Age 19. WhoScored rating 7.07
The Greek defender has been superb at the heart of the Schalke back-four as the team finished August in second place. Papadopoulos has also shown versatility by filling in as a defensive midfielder and his stats at the back highlight his ball-winning ability. He made 3.5 tackles per game, easily the best of any Schalke defender –the next best is Joel Matip with 2.3- and has also managed a brilliant 4.8 interceptions per game, as well as averaging 5 clearances.
Papadopoulos has also made 0.5 blocked shots per game, though his aerial success (53%) could definitely be improved upon. In possession, he made 33.8 passes with a 77% accuracy and played 5.8 long balls out from the back. Papadopoulos also had 1 shot and made 0.3 successful dribbles per game.
Best Midfield Ball-Winner
Lewis Holtby, Schalke 04. Age 20. WhoScored rating 7.08
Holtby has shown his adaptability by playing in four different positions over his four appearances for Schalke. It’s his willingness to battle in the centre that’s stood out, though- he has made 3.8 tackles per game for the second-placed side, and also made 3.3 interceptions in addition to winning 83% of aerial duels.
In possession, he’s made 42.5 passes per game for Schalke (the third highest tally in the side) with an 85% accuracy, which is better than the likes of Raul (82%). Holtby has also managed 0.8 shots per game, bringing him 1 goal, and has also made an average of 1.5 successful dribbles.
Best Creator & Dribbler
Mario Gotze, Dortmund. Age 19. WhoScored rating 7.22
The young playmaker was rumoured to be a target for Arsenal in this week’s transfer window but a look at his performances so far show just how important he is to Dortmund’s season. Gotze played all four games in August, scoring 1 and assisting 3 of his side’s 5 goals so far, in an exceptional series of displays.
Gotze has made more key passes (2.8) than any Dortmund player and is also top when it comes to successful dribbles- he’s averaged a brilliant 4.8 per game so far. He’s similar to compatriot Mesut Ozil at Real Madrid in the sense that he’d rather set up an opportunity than shoot- Gotze has managed just 0.8 shots per game this campaign.
In possession, he has averaged 35.5 passes per game with an 80% accuracy and Gotze has also fired in 1.5 successful crosses per game, second-highest for the champions. A look at his defensive stats also highlights the player’s work-rate- Gotze has made 2.3 tackles per game –just behind centre-half Neven Subotic on 2.5- and he even beats Subotic for interceptions, 1.5 to 0.5, indicating a willingness to get stuck in and not just rely on his brilliant ability.
Best WhoScored Rating
Roberto Firmino, Hoffenheim. Age 19. WhoScored rating 7.56
The young Brazilian has been a sensation in his second season in Germany’s top-flight and is the top-rated player in our under 21 team. Playing in the hole just behind Ryan Babel in Hoffenheim’s 4-2-3-1, Firmino has managed 2.3 shots per game -a tally better than any team mate- and has scored 1 goal.
Firmino is also top for key passes (2.3) and his figure of 3.3 successful dribbles per game is just edged into second by Chinedu Obasi at Hoffenheim. All this despite making just 26 passes per game, the tenth-ranked tally amongst his team mates.
Firmino is also top for tackles (2.8) for his side; similar to Goetze, it’s clear his work-rate and desire to help win possession back is a key facet of his game, too. He also made 0.8 interceptions per game and won 43% of aerial duels- Hoffenheim clearly have a special player on their hands and will do well to hold onto this burgeoning young talent.
