Germany WC 2014

SidBhakthMy hypothetical team for world cup 2014

Manuel Neuer will be our first choice goalkeeper and by the look of how things are going, it won't be long before Marc-Andre ter Stegen plays the Lehmann to Neuer's Kahn.

I feel that Low should consider giving Andreas Beck a chance at the right side of defense given his string of brilliant displays at domestic level. He is the only true wingback in the NT now. Christian Trasch or Benedikt Howedes can be used as backup in this position.

'Captain Courageous' Philipp Lahm gets to play the left wingback role, by far his most effective position. In fact, I feel that Jogi Low has been sensible in moving him to the left after Jupp Heynckes decided to use him at that position. Lahm's attacking quality is on full display when he is on the left as compared to the right. Marcel Schmelzer is the first chice backup for Lahm. Dennis Aogo is a more technically competent option but given his inconsistency and his propensity on making rash challenges, he may not make the cut

A Boateng-Hummels duo may just turn out to be better then a Hummels-Badstuber combination. Boateng's pace and strength gives him the edge over the slow Badstuber or the even slower Mertesacker. Further, Badstuber's stylistic simillarity to Hummels may never cause the pair to gel well. Hummels can play his natural Beckenbauer-like game going forward and assisting the bulid-up play whereas Boateng can stay back and pick up the scraps in a role similar to Neven Subotic. Strikers who escape Hummel's marking (highly unlikely :D) have to face the imposing physique of Boateng. And, I can't think of any striker in the footballing world capable of winning a wrestling match against the former Hamburg man (skeptics may ask Arjen Robben :D)

Howedes will naturally get to play as the understudy considering his pace and dynamism. I am also impressed by Serdar Tasci's recent performances after last year’s disastrous campaign for Stuttgart and may as well like to see him on the bench.

The 'staggered double pivot' comprising of a true holding midfielder in Bastian Schweinsteiger and a world class box-to-box midfielder in Toni Kroos is certainly an improvement over the stereotypical 'double 6'. Schweinsteiger can screen the defense and use his game reading to nullify opposition attacks (similar to how he nullified the threat of Lio Messi in WC 2010). Kroos can be the ball playing midfielder and be the perfect link between the defense and attack. Kroos’ seamless integration to the NT has mirrored the development of former captain and midfield dynamo Michael Ballack. He is a threat when scoring from set pieces as well.

Christian Trasch, Ilkay Gundogan, Sebastian Rudy or the Bender brothers can be used as suitable backups for this position.

Watching Mesut Ozil's game for Real Madrid, I personally feel that he can be accommodated on the right wing from where he can cut towards the centre to pass or cross. Though he plays a central role in Madrid, most of his assists have come from wide locations. He has greatly improved his crossing and is a much better finisher than he was. His technique and trickery imparts a 'Riberyesque' quality to the game.

Andre Schurrle's explosive pace and dribbling is reminiscent of the mercurial Arjen Robben. And unlike the 'Flying Dutchman', Schurrle's willingness to pass the ball makes him a complete team player. With Schurrle's rapid development and the CL experience he will gain at Leverkusen, Prinz Poldi could soon find himself relegated to the bench.

In fact, I believe that Ozil and Schurrle can be the 'Robbery' combination for Die Mannschaft, although, they must work on their upper body strength and the defensive aspect of their game to achieve the desired results.

Mario Gotze, the shooting star of Dortmund can take the mantle of the central playmaker provided he continues his stellar ascent. Even at this age, his style of play resembles a much refined Ozil. Gotze, as opposed to Ozil is much more of a direct attacking threat. Moreover, his ball distribution is enhanced by his ambidexterity.

The front three can rotate among themselves for devastating effects.

Marko Marin and Marco Reus can be able replacements for the wingers where their fleet footed pace and directness can leave defenders flat footed at the later stages of the match. Another suitable candidate for a role in the attacking trio is Schalke playmaker Lewis Holtby given the upward trajectory his career has taken.

The biggest headache for Jogi Low would be to find an able replacement for the influential Miroslav Klose. The former Munich hitman has become an indispensable part of the team because of his understanding of Low's system and his telepathic connection with the front three and would no wonder leave big boots to fill. Mario Gomez given his lack of pace and technique is simply not the option (I still don't understand why he is so over hyped). His static play is not suited for Low's system which lays emphasis on dynamism and work rate. Cacau who has neared the thirty mark may not even make it to the trip to Brazil.

And considering the lack of world class strikers, Low's worries do not seem to end. But why look further when you have 'Der Neu Bomber' at your disposal. Thomas Muller's awareness, technique and eye for pass may be more useful when playing behind a lone frontman but given his versatility, he can be converted into an efficient lone striker. He boasts excellent positional sense, work rate, clinical finishing and pace and could easily be the man to spearhead the German attack. Imo, Jogi Low must consider playing him up front.

Other options are Julian Scheiber of Stuttgart and Nils Petersen of Munich whom Low has continued to neglect.

Seeing the continuing flow of burgeoning talent Germany’s youth academies produce, the future looks rosy for Die Mannschaft. The new crop of attacking players including the likes of Samed Yesil, Okan Aydin, Levant Aycicek, Julian Draxler, Florien Trinks, Emre Can, Moritz Leitner and Sonny Kittel hopefully live up to the hype.

This is my perspective about the future starting eleven. Please feel free to comment and engage in a discussion.

Thanks for reading :)

09.09.2011

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