Bundesliga Team of the Season so far
With the first half of the Bundesliga season complete, here's our Team of the Season so far.
| Christopher Nkunku. | Photo: Steffen Prößdorf, CC BY-SA 4.0 |
Flekken and Freiburg have conceded just 16 goals, the joint lowest of any Bundesliga club. At the same time, they have the joint highest amount of clean sheets with six.
Right-back: Benno Schmitz, FC Köln
Having featuring in 16 of 17 league games, Schmitz has been a constant for Steffen Baumgart's Köln side. The 27-year-old has made a total of four assists and an average of 1.9 tackles, 1.6 successful dribbles, 1.5 interceptions and 1.4 clearances per game.
Centre-back: Lucas Hernandez, FC Bayern
After a difficult start to life at Bayern, Hernandez has thrived under Julian Nagelsmann, starting his side's last 14 games of the 'hinrunde' after recovering from an injury. A tough defender with the ability to bring the ball forward, Hernandez has made 1.9 tackles and 1.6 clearances per game on average and has a pass success percentage of 90.4.
Centre-back: Nico Schlotterbeck, Freiburg
Schlotterbeck was handed his first call-up Germany's senior national team earlier this year, and deservedly so. One of the league's toughest defenders to go one-on-one against, the 22-year-old has won 67 percent of his challenges. At the same time, he's incredible confident with the ball at his feet and is also a danger from set pieces.
Left-back: Alphonso Davies, FC Bayern
The lightning quick Canadian international has been very convincing, both defensively and offensively. Davies has shown off his offensive prowess, racking up four assists, although he is yet to score in the league this season. His expected goals of 1.62, however, suggests he has been a bit unlucky not to find the net.
Central midfielder: Jude Bellingham, Dortmund
At the age of just 18, Bellingham has emerged as a key player for Dortmund. After his impressive debut season in Germany, the England international has taken another leap forward, scoring two goals and providing five assists in 15 league appearances this season.
Central midfielder: Florian Wirtz, Leverkusen
Despite his young age, 18-year-old Wirtz is arguably Leverkusen's most important player. So far, the youngster has chipped in with five goals and eight assists in 15 Bundesliga games this term.
Attacking midfielder: Christopher Nkunku, RB Leipzig
Things haven't gone according to plan for Leipzig this season, but they would be much worse off without Nkunku. The 24-year-old has been prolific this season, racking up seven goals and seven assists in 17 league games.
Attacking midfielder: Thomas Müller, FC Bayern
Only getting better with age, Müller has provided 15 assists, more than any other player in the league. In addition, he has found the net five times.
Striker: Robert Lewandowski, FC Bayern
The first on the team sheet. With 19 goals to his name in 17 league appearances, it's impossible to look past the Bayern star.
Striker: Patrik Schick, Leverkusen
Schick gets the nod over Erling Haaland after scoring eight goals in his last four games of the 'hinrunde', taking his tally to 16 in just 14 games. Since he's also made three assists, Schick has hand a foot in almost half of Leverkusen's goals. Very impressive!
Honorable mentions: Manuel Riemann (Bochum), Evan N'Dicka (Frankfurt), David Raum (Hoffenheim), Christian Günter (Freiburg), Vincenzo Grifo (Freiburg), Leroy Sané (FC Bayern), Anthony Modeste (FC Köln), Erling Haaland (Dortmund).