By Rune Gjerulff@runegjerulff

Best German players abroad of the 2021/22 season so far

Kicker has ranked the German players abroad based on their performances in the 2021/22 season so far.
Ilkay Gündogan, Germany
Ilkay Gündogan, GermanyPhoto: Steffen Prößdorf, CC BY-SA 4.0
Every six months, Kicker releases a ranking of the best players in the Bundesliga as well as the best German players abroad, dividing them into a number of categories.

The German football magazine recently released their winter rankings based on the performances in the first half of the 2021/22 season.

Below, you'll find the list of German players abroad playing in the top tier in England, Spain, Italy or France.

World class:
None.

International class:
1. Ilkay Gündogan, Manchester City
1. Antonio Rüdiger, Chelsea
2. Toni Kroos, Real Madrid

National class:
1. Kai Havertz, Chelsea
1. Marc-André ter Stegen, Barcelona
2. Kevin Volland, Monaco
3. Vitaly Janelt, Brentford

Bundesliga news

RB LeipzigTimo Werner set to return to RB Leipzig
TSG Hoffenheim Baumann: "We just couldn't find any solutions."
Match report St. Pauli & Hoffenheim St. Pauli take down Hoffenheim and win 1-0 thanks to Baumann's mistake
FC Bayern MunichLeroy Sané could be set for a move to the Premier League
RB LeipzigNusa: "It was tough for a young player like me!"
Bundesliga Matchday 26Confirmed lineups: St. Pauli vs. Hoffenheim
Bayern MunichJoshua Kimmich on contract extension: "Munich has become our home"
Preview Bundesliga Matchday 25Mainz 05 vs. Freiburg preview: Crucial clash in battle for Champions League qualification
Rumor RB LeipzigReport: Leipzig display interest in Club Brugge defender
Bayern MunichKane expresses delight over Kimmich's contract extension
Borussia DortmundKovac hopes injury-plagued Chelsea loanee can play bigger role
Preview AUGSBURG & WOLFSBURGAugsburg vs. Wolfsburg preview: Two teams separated by three points in pivotal matchup
Rumor Eintracht FrankfurtLiverpool reportedly monitoring Eintracht Frankfurt winger

Table

Bundesliga

Regular Season

#TeamP
1 FC Bayern61
2 Leverkusen53
3 Mainz 0544
4 Frankfurt42
5 Freiburg41
6 RB Leipzig39
7 Wolfsburg38
8 Stuttgart37
9 Gladbach37
10 Dortmund35
11 Augsburg35
12 Bremen33
13 Union Berlin27
14 Hoffenheim26
15 St. Pauli25
16 Bochum18
17 Holstein Kiel17
18 Heidenheim16
View full table
Kickfieber

Match days

Bayer 04 LeverkusenXabi Alonso gives injury update on trio
Preview RB Leipzig & Borussia DortmundRB Leipzig vs Borussia Dortmund preview: Huge clash between struggling giants
Preview Union Berlin & FC BayernUnion Berlin vs Bayern München preview: League leaders look to bounce back
Eintracht FrankfurtToppmöller confirms Trapp will miss match against Bochum
FC BayernMinjae Kim ruled out for weeks
VFL WOLFSBURGHasenhüttl answers burning questions ahead of crucial Augsburg match
Predicted lineups BundesligaPredicted Bundesliga lineups: Matchday 26
Team of the week BundesligaBundesliga Team of the Week: Matchday 25
Post-match reaction Hoffenheim, HeidenheimChristian Ilzer: “The result was fair in terms of performance”
Post-match reaction Eintracht Frankfurt, Union BerlinDino Toppmöller: “We changed the system five minutes before kick-off”
Match report Hoffenheim, Heidenheim2. Bundesliga heroes star in entertaining draw
Match report Union Berlin, Eintracht FrankfurtFrederik Rønnow saves injury-time penalty as Bundesliga’s home curse continues
Post-match reaction FC BayernBayern boss criticizes Palhinha after sending off
Post-match reaction SC FreiburgRecord-breaker Atubolu dreams of Germany call-up
Post-match reaction VFL WOLFSBURG"Today, the balance was not quite right": Reactions from Wolfsburg following 1-1 draw
Post-match reaction AugsburgJess Thorup: “We can enjoy this day”
Post-match reaction RB LeipzigSchäfer defends Rose after another listless Leipzig performance
Post-match reaction Holstein Kiel, StuttgartSkrzybski sets two Bundesliga records against Stuttgart
Post-match reaction Werder BremenRelief for Zetterer, Weiser apologetic after stunning win in Leverkusen
Post-match reaction Bochum, BayernDieter Hecking: “We’re very pleased”
Post-match reaction Borussia DortmundNiko Kovac: “You can't win a Bundesliga game like that”
Match report Freiburg, LeipzigNoah Atubolu sets new Freiburg record against Leipzig
Post-match reaction Bayer LeverkusenXabi Alonso: “Today was bad”
Post-match reaction Bayern MunichVincent Kompany: “We have to take responsibility for everything”
Post-match reaction Bayer LeverkusenWirtz leaves BayArena on crutches

German Teams in Europe

Post-match reaction Borussia DortmundPascal Groß celebrates "really good team performance" against Lille
Post-match reaction Borussia DortmundEmre Can: "I thought we were brilliant in the second half"
Post-match reaction Borussia DortmundKovac hails "great team performance" after Lille win
Match report Borussia Dortmund Brilliant Beier blasts Borussia Dortmund into quarter-final berth
Preview UEFA Champions LeagueConfirmed Lineups: LOSC Lille vs. Borussia Dortmund
Eintracht Frankfurt"We want to advance to the next round" - Ansgar Knauff
Eintracht FrankfurtDino Toppmöller demands "focused and concentrated" performance against Ajax
Post-match reaction Bayer 04 LeverkusenXabi Alonso on Leverkusen's Champions League exit: "We made too many mistakes"
Post-match reaction FC BayernKompany praises "hungry" Bayern players after Champions League progress
Post-match reaction Bayer 04 LeverkusenHradecky reflects on Champions League exit: "Bayern were clearly the better team over two legs"
Post-match reaction FC BayernKane on beating Leverkusen 5-0 on aggregate: "Shows the type of team we are"
Post-match reaction FC BayernMusiala after hitting the woodwork twice: "I'm really annoyed about it, but we won"
Match report Leverkusen & BayernBayern march into quarter-finals after another win over Leverkusen
Leverkusen & BayernConfirmed lineups: Bayer Leverkusen vs. Bayern Munich
Borussia DortmundGuirassy and Kovac eager to "get back to being positive" ahead of Lille clash
Preview Eintracht FrankfurtEintracht Frankfurt vs. Ajax preview: Team news and predicted lineups
Predicted lineups Champions LeaguePredicted Champions League lineups: How all teams could line up for the last-16 second legs
Preview Lille & DortmundLille vs. Borussia Dortmund preview: Team news and predicted lineups
Preview Leverkusen & BayernBayer Leverkusen vs. Bayern Munich preview: Team news and predicted lineups
Post-match reaction FC BayernKompany on Urbig's debut against Leverkusen: "There are easier games"
Post-match reaction FC BayernVincent Kompany reflects on Bayern's win over Leverkusen, gives update on Neuer's injury
Post-match reaction Bayer 04 LeverkusenXabi Alonso: "A lot went against us, but that was our own fault"
Post-match reaction FC BayernKane reflects on win over Leverkusen: "The focus was top from everyone"
Post-match reaction Bayer 04 LeverkusenXhaka slams Mukiele's "stupid" red card after loss to Bayern
Match report Bayern & LeverkusenBayern overpower 10-man Leverkusen to move closer to quarter-finals

DFB-Pokal

Leverkusen, Bielefeld, Leipzig, StuttgartPokal draw: Leverkusen play third-tier Bielefeld, Leipzig away at Stuttgart
Post-match reaction Leipzig & WolfsburgLeipzig's handball penalty against Wolfsburg sparks debate
Match report RB Leipzig & WolfsburgSesko penalty sees Leipzig book semi-final spot
RB Leipzig & WolfsburgConfirmed lineups: RB Leipzig vs VfL Wolfsburg, DFB-Pokal quarter final
Post-match reaction Werder BremenBittencourt lashes out at Köhn after cup defeat
Post-match reaction Werder BremenWerner reacts to Werder's shocking cup exit: "We missed out on a huge opportunity"
Match report DFB-Pokal Giant-killing continues as Bielefeld roll past Bremen into Pokal final-four
Preview Leipzig & WolfsburgRB Leipzig vs. Wolfsburg preview: Team news and predicted lineups
Preview Bielefeld & WerderArminia Bielefeld vs Werder Bremen preview: Can Bielefeld keep their cup dream alive?
Post-match reaction Köln & LeverkusenKöln defender lashes out at "arrogant" Leverkusen after Pokal defeat
Match report BAYER LEVERKUSENBayer Leverkusen squeeze past Köln into Pokal semis
Bayer LeverkusenAlonso expresses excitement for derby
Match report VfB StuttgartStuttgart end losing streak to reach Pokal semis
DFB-PokalConfirmed lineups: VfB Stuttgart vs. FC Augsburg
Preview Bayer Leverkusen, FC KölnBayer Leverkusen vs FC Köln, DFB-Pokal quarter-final preview: Holders look to take control in derby
Preview VfB Stuttgart, AugsburgVfB Stuttgart vs. Augsburg, DFB-Pokal quarter-final preview: Season definer for Stuttgart
FC AugsburgThorup provides updates ahead of quarter-final
DFB-Pokal DFB-Pokal quarter-finals confirmed
Match report DFB POKALAugsburg squeeze past Karlsruhe in penalty shootout win
Match report DFB POKALRB Leipzig overcome poor form in win vs Frankfurt
Match report DFB POKALLjubicic penalty sees Köln past Hertha Berlin
Match report DFB POKALIn-form Wolfsburg dominant in win vs Hoffenheim
FC BayernKroos supports Neuer after red card: "Stop apologizing!"
Preview DFB POKALWolfsburg vs. Hoffenheim preview: Team news and predicted lineups
Bayer 04 LeverkusenXabi Alonso on Schick's injury: "It doesn't look good"

German National Team

DFBGermany U21 squad announced for March matches
German National TeamNagelsmann considered convincing Biereth into representing Germany
DFBGermany squad announced for Italy games
DFBInter defender set for first Germany call-up, reports Sky
DFB & MainzAmiri reportedly set to be included in Germany squad
DFBNagelsmann issues warning to Pavlovic: "If his rhythm remains as it is now..."
DFBConsistency key for Nagelsmann's Germany as he aims for "peak" at World Cup
FC BayernGoretzka discusses possible return to Germany squad
DFBNagelsmann reacts to Wirtz's injury: "I'm very sorry for 'Flo'"
DFBTer Stegen could return from injury sooner than first feared
German National TeamReport: Nagelsmann left with goalkeeping dilemma ahead of Italy clash
German National TeamBerlin-born Bence Dardai pledges international future to Hungary, Kicker reports
VfB StuttgartStuttgart star dreams of Germany call-up
German National TeamGiulia Gwinn named captain of German women's national team
German National TeamConfirmed: Kai Havertz ruled out for the season
DFBNagelsmann signs new contract as Germany coach
GladbachKleindienst discusses next step in his career and hopes of making Germany's World Cup squad
Werder BremenNjinmah open to playing for either Germany or Nigeria
Other Wolfsburg & DFBBaku takes the SEAL path: "Discipline is the bridge between goals and their realization."
Post-match reaction Dortmund & DFBBrandt credits DFB training work for set-piece stunner
DFBUEFA Nations League knockout stage and play-off draw: Germany learn opponents
Werder Bremen & DFBZetterer confirms contact with the German Football Association
Rumor DFBReport: DFB in talks with Nagelsmann over new contract
DFBCeltic star reveals dream of playing for Germany at the World Cup in 2026
DFBMusiala and Nagelsmann bemoan Wirtz's "stupid" yellow-card suspension

Long reads

Analysis/Commentary Werder BremenWhat's going wrong with Werder Bremen?
Analysis/Commentary BundesligaBundesliga European race: The full assessment
Analysis/Commentary Werder BremenWerder Bremen and Andre Silva: A potentially sneaky important move
Analysis/Commentary Bundesliga"Ones to watch" for Bundesliga Matchday 19
Analysis/Commentary Werder BremenWerder Bremen and the potential curse of Heidenheim
Analysis/Commentary SV Werder BremenWhy Werder Bremen have made a change at wingback
Analysis/Commentary BayernJanuary 2025 Transfer Primer: FC Bayern München
Analysis/Commentary Bayer 04 LeverkusenJanuary 2025 Transfer Primer: Bayer 04 Leverkusen
Analysis/Commentary FC St. Pauli January 2025 Transfer Primer: FC St. Pauli
Analysis/Commentary SC FreiburgJanuary 2025 Transfer Primer: SC Freiburg
Analysis/Commentary 1. FC HeidenheimJanuary 2025 Transfer Primer: FC Heidenheim
Analysis/Commentary VfL BochumJanuary 2025 Transfer Primer: VfL Bochum
Analysis/Commentary Union BerlinJanuary 2025 Transfer Primer: Union Berlin
Analysis/Commentary Eintracht FrankfurtJanuary 2025 Transfer Primer: Eintracht Frankfurt
Analysis/Commentary TSG 1899 HoffenheimJanuary 2025 Transfer Primer: TSG 1899 Hoffenheim
Analysis/Commentary Werder BremenJanuary 2025 Transfer Primer: Werder Bremen
Analysis/Commentary RB LeipzigJanuary 2025 Transfer Primer: RB Leipzig
Analysis/Commentary Borussia MönchengladbachJanuary 2025 Transfer Primer: Borussia Mönchengladbach
Analysis/Commentary VfL WolfsburgJanuary 2025 Transfer Primer: VfL Wolfsburg
Analysis/Commentary FSV Mainz 05January 2025 Transfer Primer: FSV Mainz 05
Analysis/Commentary FC AugsburgJanuary 2025 Transfer Primer: FC Augsburg
Analysis/Commentary Holstein Kiel January 2025 Transfer Primer: Holstein Kiel
Analysis/Commentary VfB StuttgartJanuary 2025 Transfer Primer: VfB Stuttgart
Analysis/Commentary Borussia Dortmund January 2025 Transfer Primer: Borussia Dortmund
Analysis/Commentary BundesligaBundesliga team of the season so far

Exclusive interviews

Interview BundesligaEXCLUSIVE: Michael Owen talks Kane, Musiala, Sancho and looks back on famous hat-trick against Germany
Editor's pick Bundesliga & DFBEXCLUSIVE: Dietmar Hamann on the Bundesliga title fight, Der Klassiker and Nagelsmann's start as Germany coach
Editor's pick MainzEXCLUSIVE: Danny da Costa rules out future coaching job
Interview Bayer LeverkusenEXCLUSIVE: Edmond Tapsoba on England links, his role models and Leverkusen's struggles this season
Interview Bundesliga InterviewEXCLUSIVE: From infancy to Eisernen - An Interview with Union Berlin’s rising star Laurenz Dehl
Editor's pick LeverkusenSimon Rolfes interview – part two: Leverkusen boss points out "problem" with German youth development
Editor's pick LeverkusenFernando Carro interview: Bayer Leverkusen CEO says Bundesliga rights are “sold under value”, questions 50+1 rule
Editor's pick Bayer 04 LeverkusenSimon Rolfes interview: Leverkusen boss on global scouting, Frimpong’s “fantastic” rise and more
Editor's pick WolfsburgEXCLUSIVE: Jonas Wind on Wolfsburg's poor start, Niko Kovac, his dream club and more
Editor's pick EXCLUSIVE: Wolfsburg's Jonas Wind gives injury update, shares thoughts on ...
Editor's pick DortmundEXCLUSIVE: Ex-BVB star and agent Niclas Jensen on life on and off the pitch and why Bielefeld's Bello is one to watch
Editor's pick GladbachEXCLUSIVE: Gladbach's Joe Scally on first United States call-up and World Cup chances
Editor's pick GladbachEXCLUSIVE: Gladbach and USMNT defender Joe Scally on his rise to stardom and season so far

Team News