Germany's wonderkids win the 2017 Confederations Cup... but who are they?
When World Cup winning manager Joachim Low announced his 23-man squad for the 2017 Confederations Cup in mid-May, frowns and wondrous looks adorned the faces of many football fans across the globe.
Germany, who lifted the trophy for a fourth time in 2014 in Brazil, have a loaded pool of players who are sought after by teams all over the globe, and are surefire candidates for a win in 2018 as well. So where were all they all in the past month?
The tournament, which pits the winners of each confederation's tournament against each other in a mini cup-style format, takes places quadrennially, a year before football's showpiece tournament is held in the same location.
The Germans came out victors in this years edition after a one-nil victory over Chile in the final. But the usual names were absent: Mesut Ozil, Toni Kroos, Manuel Neuer, Mats Hummels, Thomas Muller, Jerome Boateng, Mario Gotze - the list goes on, and they were no where to be seen. Not just in the final, but the squad entirely.
In the three years since Copa Mundial, their squad has of course suffered the blows of old age, with Philipp Lahm, Bastian Schweinsteiger and most recently Lukas Podolski hanging up their boots. You could be forgiven for thinking maybe because you haven't watched Germany play for a while, you've missed a generation. But that isn't the case. Boss Low, who has been in charge of the side since 2006, is apparently just 'resting his players' for the big one in Russia next summer - almost a year away.
But their team still won the tournament, even with a team full of what looked like children and players no one had heard of before. Tactical masterclass? Or just another smidgeon of evidence that Germany's talent factory just won't stop churning out incredible youth players? Either way, this year's tournament opened the door to a bucketful of fresh German wonderkids, who undoubtedly will now be being heavily courted by teams all over the world. Here's your lowdown to who's who.
STARTING ELEVEN - THE FINAL:
Goalkeeper - Marc Andre Ter Stegen, 25
The 25-year old keeper is Barcelona's number one and has been since his rival Claudio Bravo, who captained Chile in the final, left for Manchester City in 2016. Despite being a club star, he still shadows Manuel Neuer as the first choice and has only accumulated ten caps so far.
Right centre back - Matthias Ginter, 23
More suited to centre back, Ginter is an opposing figure with a very strong frame. Good at winning balls back in shoulder-to-shoulder situation and also has a good eye for a whipped ball into the box. Signed for Borussia Monchengladbach on Tuesday after three years at rivals Dortmund.
Centre back - Shkodran Mustafi, 25
Well known to Premier League fans, Mustafi is a regular starter for Arsenal having signed from Valencia in 2016. With 19 caps to his name, he looks to be a firm regular for his national side in the future.
Left centre back - Antonio Rudiger, 23
Heavily linked with Chelsea this summer, the Roma defender can play anywhere along the back line. Strong and broadly built, he has a great turn of pace and an uncanny ability to read the directional movement of players, especially on the wing. Very adept in the slide tackle aswell.
Right midfield - Joshua Kimmich, 22
Bayern wonderkid Kimmich is one of Europe's hottest prospects. He is currently being kept a close eye on by Zinedine Zidane, as the Frenchman looks to bolster his Madrid squad for the upcoming season. The youngster has bags of potential and plays in a similar way to his idol Bastian Schweinsteiger. He is less of a runner and more of a provider - with a slick ability to pick out a killer pass and slip team-mates through on goal in the blink of an eye, a la Andres Iniesta. Versatile as well, he can play as a right back or a midfielder, though prefers the former. Also very composed on the ball, Kimmich was frustrated with a lack of appearances for Bayern last season and could be on the move this summer after starting all five of Germany's games in the cup.
Central midfield - Sebastian Rudy, 27
Nope, Wayne Rooney hasn't made a drastic change of nationality since he was dropped from the England squad to get more playing time. Bayern Munich midfielder Rudy's name was the name you were hearing. The midfielder made almost 200 Hoffenheim appearances before agreeing a deal with the domestic champions in January of this year.
Central midfield - Leon Goretzka, 22
Schalke playmaker Goretzka was Germany's star player at the Confed Cup, finishing top scorer with three outstanding goals. At 6 foot 3, Goretzka is surprisingly pacy and confident on the ball, with expert dribbling technique and a superb eye for goal. His finish against Mexico was reminiscent of Cristiano Ronaldo's opener in the Champions League final this year, but as an overall package, he plays more like Zinedine Zidane or Kaka. Currently being watched by both Arsenal and Real Madrid, he could be the future of German football.
Left midfield - Jonas Hector, 27
Hector has been Germany's first choice left back since after the World Cup. A regular starter for his club team FC. Koln, he likes to fly down the wing and can deliver a killer ball into the box.
Right forward - Lars Stindl, 28
One of the more senior players in the Confederations Cup squad, Stindl is a forward/midfielder with a natural instinct for finding the back of the net. Not the quickest, he makes up for it with precise technique and seems to find the net out of seemingly harmless situations. Despite being 28, the Monchengladbach forward only broke into the national side this year, and has three goals from his first six caps.
Left forward - Julian Draxler, 23 (captain)
Of all the names in this squad, apart from the Premier League players, Julian Draxler may be the one one you're most familiar with. The young winger joined PSG in January after two years at Wolfsburg. Despite being tall, Draxler is a tricky dribbler who defenders find difficult to track. Can also play in attacking midfield and is very balanced when running with the ball. Has the potential to become one of the world's best.
Centre forward - Timo Werner, 21
The youngest player in the starting line-up, pacy striker Werner was an integral component of RB Leipzig's unprecedented success in the Bundesliga this season. The speedy striker has a clinical finish on his right foot but is also effective at providing for team-mates. Very cool around the goal, he is more likely to score than not after getting into a good position and makes darting runs around the opposing box. He finished joint top scorer at the tournament, and is being scouted by Jurgen Klopp for Liverpool's ambitions next season.
Substitutes:
Kevin Trapp, 26 - PSG keeper is flexible and versatile and has earned himself one cap so far.
Martin Plattenhardt, 25 - Left back for Hertha Berlin and shadow to Hector.
Benjamin Henrichs, 20 - Full back or midfielder who plays for Bayer Leverkusen.
Sandro Wagner, 29 - Scored a hat-trick against San Marino. Striker for Hoffenheim.
Kerem Demirbay, 24 - Central midfielder for Hoffenheim.
Berndt Leno, 25 - Bayer Leverkusen's number one, third choice keeper behind Trapp.
Emre Can, 23 - Liverpool midfielder can play as a left back aswell and has fifteen caps altogether.
Amin Younes, 23 - Lebanese born winger is nifty and has already scored two goals since his call up.
Niklas Sule, 21 - Tall defender who rejected Chelsea for a move to Bayern Munich this summer.
Julian Brandt, 21 - Bayer Leverkusen winger has played for every team since under-15 and has ten caps so far.
With next years showpiece tournament looming on the horizon, it is no surprise that international managers around the world are already preparing. And if this performance - and this squad - is anything to go by, the Germans are already very strong contenders.
Germany, who lifted the trophy for a fourth time in 2014 in Brazil, have a loaded pool of players who are sought after by teams all over the globe, and are surefire candidates for a win in 2018 as well. So where were all they all in the past month?
 |
| Germany striker Lars Stindl celebrates scoring the winning goal in the Confederations Cup final. |
The tournament, which pits the winners of each confederation's tournament against each other in a mini cup-style format, takes places quadrennially, a year before football's showpiece tournament is held in the same location.
The Germans came out victors in this years edition after a one-nil victory over Chile in the final. But the usual names were absent: Mesut Ozil, Toni Kroos, Manuel Neuer, Mats Hummels, Thomas Muller, Jerome Boateng, Mario Gotze - the list goes on, and they were no where to be seen. Not just in the final, but the squad entirely.
In the three years since Copa Mundial, their squad has of course suffered the blows of old age, with Philipp Lahm, Bastian Schweinsteiger and most recently Lukas Podolski hanging up their boots. You could be forgiven for thinking maybe because you haven't watched Germany play for a while, you've missed a generation. But that isn't the case. Boss Low, who has been in charge of the side since 2006, is apparently just 'resting his players' for the big one in Russia next summer - almost a year away.
But their team still won the tournament, even with a team full of what looked like children and players no one had heard of before. Tactical masterclass? Or just another smidgeon of evidence that Germany's talent factory just won't stop churning out incredible youth players? Either way, this year's tournament opened the door to a bucketful of fresh German wonderkids, who undoubtedly will now be being heavily courted by teams all over the world. Here's your lowdown to who's who.
STARTING ELEVEN - THE FINAL:
Goalkeeper - Marc Andre Ter Stegen, 25
The 25-year old keeper is Barcelona's number one and has been since his rival Claudio Bravo, who captained Chile in the final, left for Manchester City in 2016. Despite being a club star, he still shadows Manuel Neuer as the first choice and has only accumulated ten caps so far.
 |
| Matthias Ginter in action for Borussia Dortmund. |
More suited to centre back, Ginter is an opposing figure with a very strong frame. Good at winning balls back in shoulder-to-shoulder situation and also has a good eye for a whipped ball into the box. Signed for Borussia Monchengladbach on Tuesday after three years at rivals Dortmund.
Centre back - Shkodran Mustafi, 25
Well known to Premier League fans, Mustafi is a regular starter for Arsenal having signed from Valencia in 2016. With 19 caps to his name, he looks to be a firm regular for his national side in the future.
Left centre back - Antonio Rudiger, 23
Heavily linked with Chelsea this summer, the Roma defender can play anywhere along the back line. Strong and broadly built, he has a great turn of pace and an uncanny ability to read the directional movement of players, especially on the wing. Very adept in the slide tackle aswell.
Right midfield - Joshua Kimmich, 22
Bayern wonderkid Kimmich is one of Europe's hottest prospects. He is currently being kept a close eye on by Zinedine Zidane, as the Frenchman looks to bolster his Madrid squad for the upcoming season. The youngster has bags of potential and plays in a similar way to his idol Bastian Schweinsteiger. He is less of a runner and more of a provider - with a slick ability to pick out a killer pass and slip team-mates through on goal in the blink of an eye, a la Andres Iniesta. Versatile as well, he can play as a right back or a midfielder, though prefers the former. Also very composed on the ball, Kimmich was frustrated with a lack of appearances for Bayern last season and could be on the move this summer after starting all five of Germany's games in the cup.
Central midfield - Sebastian Rudy, 27
Nope, Wayne Rooney hasn't made a drastic change of nationality since he was dropped from the England squad to get more playing time. Bayern Munich midfielder Rudy's name was the name you were hearing. The midfielder made almost 200 Hoffenheim appearances before agreeing a deal with the domestic champions in January of this year.
Central midfield - Leon Goretzka, 22
Schalke playmaker Goretzka was Germany's star player at the Confed Cup, finishing top scorer with three outstanding goals. At 6 foot 3, Goretzka is surprisingly pacy and confident on the ball, with expert dribbling technique and a superb eye for goal. His finish against Mexico was reminiscent of Cristiano Ronaldo's opener in the Champions League final this year, but as an overall package, he plays more like Zinedine Zidane or Kaka. Currently being watched by both Arsenal and Real Madrid, he could be the future of German football.
Left midfield - Jonas Hector, 27
Hector has been Germany's first choice left back since after the World Cup. A regular starter for his club team FC. Koln, he likes to fly down the wing and can deliver a killer ball into the box.
Right forward - Lars Stindl, 28
One of the more senior players in the Confederations Cup squad, Stindl is a forward/midfielder with a natural instinct for finding the back of the net. Not the quickest, he makes up for it with precise technique and seems to find the net out of seemingly harmless situations. Despite being 28, the Monchengladbach forward only broke into the national side this year, and has three goals from his first six caps.
Left forward - Julian Draxler, 23 (captain)
Of all the names in this squad, apart from the Premier League players, Julian Draxler may be the one one you're most familiar with. The young winger joined PSG in January after two years at Wolfsburg. Despite being tall, Draxler is a tricky dribbler who defenders find difficult to track. Can also play in attacking midfield and is very balanced when running with the ball. Has the potential to become one of the world's best.
Centre forward - Timo Werner, 21
The youngest player in the starting line-up, pacy striker Werner was an integral component of RB Leipzig's unprecedented success in the Bundesliga this season. The speedy striker has a clinical finish on his right foot but is also effective at providing for team-mates. Very cool around the goal, he is more likely to score than not after getting into a good position and makes darting runs around the opposing box. He finished joint top scorer at the tournament, and is being scouted by Jurgen Klopp for Liverpool's ambitions next season.
Substitutes:
Kevin Trapp, 26 - PSG keeper is flexible and versatile and has earned himself one cap so far.
Martin Plattenhardt, 25 - Left back for Hertha Berlin and shadow to Hector.
Benjamin Henrichs, 20 - Full back or midfielder who plays for Bayer Leverkusen.
Sandro Wagner, 29 - Scored a hat-trick against San Marino. Striker for Hoffenheim.
Kerem Demirbay, 24 - Central midfielder for Hoffenheim.
Berndt Leno, 25 - Bayer Leverkusen's number one, third choice keeper behind Trapp.
Emre Can, 23 - Liverpool midfielder can play as a left back aswell and has fifteen caps altogether.
Amin Younes, 23 - Lebanese born winger is nifty and has already scored two goals since his call up.
Niklas Sule, 21 - Tall defender who rejected Chelsea for a move to Bayern Munich this summer.
Julian Brandt, 21 - Bayer Leverkusen winger has played for every team since under-15 and has ten caps so far.
With next years showpiece tournament looming on the horizon, it is no surprise that international managers around the world are already preparing. And if this performance - and this squad - is anything to go by, the Germans are already very strong contenders.
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