Fantasy Bundesliga tips: Midfielders to consider for the start of the 2024/25 season
With the new Bundesliga season just around the corner, we are ready to give you a helping hand with your Fantasy Bundesliga team.
In this article, the third of a series of position-by-position player recommendations, we take a look at the midfielders you should have on your radar when building your squad.
Budget options:
Robert Wagner, St. Pauli - 5 million
At 5 million, Wagner appears to be the cheapest nailed down starter in midfield alongside Holstein Kiel's Nicolai Remberg. An all-round midfielder who scored four goals and provided five assists for Greuther Fürth last season, the St. Pauli midfielder appears to be the more attractive option of the two.
Lukas Daschner, Bochum - 6 million
Following the loss of Kevin Stöger to Gladbach, Bochum will be hoping that Daschner can help fill the void left by the key midfielder's departure. The 25-year-old has had an impressive pre-season and takes set pieces along with Maximilian Wittek. However, like the rest of the team, Daschner was disappointing in the DFB-Pokal defeat to Regensburg, and Bochum now face a tough opening fixture in the Bundesliga against RB Leipzig.
Lewis Holtby, Holstein Kiel - 6 million
An inexperienced Holstein Kiel side will look to veteran captain Lewis Holtby to take charge in the middle of the park in their maiden Bundesliga season. The 33-year-old, who scored five goals and laid on 10 assists in the 2. Bundesliga last season, had by far the most touches in Kiel's recent 3-2 win over Aachen, completing 72 passes and winning five duels.
Mid-range options:
Paul Wanner, Heidenheim - 8 million
After impressing on loan at 2. Bundesliga side Elversberg last season, the Bayern Munich-owned youngster is now looking to take the next step in his development at Heidenheim. The highly-rated attacking midfielder has looked very promising in pre-season and was on the scoresheet in Heidenheim's 4-0 DFB-Pokal win over FC Villingen last week.
Arne Maier, Augsburg - 9 million
Augsburg's set-piece taker could prove to be a decent option for the price, with the club opening the season with manageable fixtures against Werder Bremen, Heidenheim, St. Pauli and Mainz.
Pascal Gross, Dortmund - 11 million
Gross demonstrated the potential he has in a Dortmund shirt this season in last week's 4-1 DFB-Pokal win over Phoenix Lübeck. Although one should be careful not to read too much into cup games against lower league sides, Gross' performance was highly impressive, with the central midfielder dictating the play in the middle of the park, taking set pieces and setting up two goals. At 11 million, he looks like a bargain.
Nadiem Amiri, Mainz - 13 million
Mainz turned their season around after the winter break, with Amiri playing a key role after joining from Bayer Leverkusen in the January transfer window. Amiri is involved in pretty much everything Mainz do going forward, he was already doing well with the old scoring system, and the new one could make him even more powerful.
Julian Brandt, Borussia Dortmund - 14 million
If you are looking for an alternative to Pascal Gross or even want to double up on Dortmund in midfield, Julian Brandt is probably the man for you. Now wearing the number 10 shirt, much is expected of the attacking midfielder, who seems to be becoming more and more important for BVB. Based on the game against Phoenix Lübeck, in which Brandt scored, it looks like he will share the set-piece duties with Gross this season.
Premium options:
Joshua Kimmich, FC Bayern - 15 million
After a season to forget for Kimmich and Bayern, the Germany international is looking to bounce back this term. The 29-year-old is set to return to a central midfield role under Vincent Kompany, and the arrival of Joao Palhinha could see him take on more attacking duties for the Bavarians. As a key player for one of the best and most dominant teams in the league, his potential seems huge, especially with the new scoring rules that reward every pass in the middle and final third.
Granit Xhaka, Bayer Leverkusen - 15 million
Xhaka wasn't a player to target last season, but like Kimmich, he could really benefit from the new scoring rules. The linchpin of Leverkusen's midfield, Xhaka's passing and duels for the ball could generate a lot of points, and he usually plays every minute.
Xavi Simons, RB Leipzig - 17 million
One of last season's most popular midfielders, Simons quickly established himself as Leipzig's creative talisman. Capable of accumulating points through goals, assists, dribbling and passing in particular, Simons looks a very attractive option from the start of the game, with Leipzig having a favorable home fixture against Bochum.
Jamal Musiala, FC Bayern - 20 million
Costing three million more than Simons, Musiala has similar qualities to the RB Leipzig man. There's no doubt that the Germany international will have a productive season, but the question is whether you can find the funds for him with his huge price tag.
Florian Wirtz, Bayer Leverkusen - 20 million
Another creative super-talent, Florian Wirtz will certainly generate plenty of points for your fantasy team if you can squeeze him in. However, with Leverkusen also playing in the Champions League this season, Wirtz's minutes could become a concern further into the season, as Alonso will be careful not to overplay him.