World Cup 2022 – Squad Preview: Germany

Manuel Neuer

Manuel Neuer Credit: Hugh de Paor (ETPhotos)

German manager Hansi Flick has announced his 26-man World Cup squad. The 2014 world champions are coming in under the radar after two successive poor championship performances.    

The squad contains some exciting new talent plus some returning stars from the past. The question is how Flick will unify a squad that has been seen to be playing as individuals rather with the togetherness which characterised the side in Brazil. 

Manuel Neuer remains the number one choice ahead of Marc-Andre ter Stegen. The player who popularised the idea of the modern sweeper keeper has had his detractors but still among the best goalkeepers around. 

In defence, the exclusion of Mats Hummels and Robin Gosins surprised some. The former being cut due to Flick’s desire to look to the future; the latter due to a lack of playing time at Inter Milan.

It seems that Real Madrid’s Antonio Rudiger and Borussia Dortmund’s Niklas Sule will play together with the full-backs being RB Leipzig’s David Raum and Christian Gunter of Freiburg. There is a certain lack of experience though in the back-ups talented as they might be. 

In midfield, the main dilemma seems to be whom to play in the central position. Questions have been asked of the maturity of Josh Kimmich for his perceived lack of tackling strength. He does offer an excellent distribution and energy though. Similar questions have been asked of Ilkay Gündogan.

Perhaps the answer is to employ Leon Goretzka of Bayern in a deeper role to provide that link between defence and midfield. Jonas Hofmann and Jamal Musiala are two younger talents hoping to make their mark. 

It is up front that seems to be causing much of the debate though. The lack of a recognised main striker means there is a potential lack of a focal point for the various attackers to play off. The injury suffered by Timo Werner robs them of this presence. Kai Havertz or Thomas Muller might be expected to fill this void.

They will be assisted by players of the calibre of Bayern’s Serge Gnabry and Leroy Sane. Mario Gotze returns to the squad after an absence of five years to provide extra thrust. 

Goalkeepers: Manuel Neuer (Bayern Munich), Marc-Andre ter Stegen (Barcelona), Kevin Trapp (Eintracht Frankfurt)



Defenders: Armel Bella-Kotchap (Southampton), Matthias Ginter (SC Freiburg), Christian Gunter (SC Freiburg), Thilo Kehrer (West Ham), Lukas Klostermann (RB Leipzig), David Raum (RB Leipzig), Antonio Rudiger (Real Madrid), Nico Schlotterbeck (Borussia Dortmund), Niklas Sule (Borussia Dortmund)

Midfielders: Julian Brandt (Borussia Dortmund), Leon Goretzka (Bayern Munich), Ilkay Gundogan (Manchester City), Jonas Hofmann (RB Leipzig), Joshua Kimmich (Bayern Munich), Jamal Musiala (Bayern Munich)

Forwards: Karim Adeyemi (Borussia Dortmund), Niclas Fullkrug (Werder Bremen), Serge Gnabry (Bayern Munich), Mario Gotze (Eintracht Frankfurt), Kai Havertz (Chelsea), Youssoufa Moukoko (Borussia Dortmund), Thomas Muller (Bayern Munich), Leroy Sane (Bayern Munich)

 

About Philip Morrissey

Philip is a Cork City fan for his entire adult life. From bad times to good, whether this was taking on some major European sides or in the First Division. Philip went back to college … View Full Profile