Bundesliga 2021/22 Team of the Season
Following the conclusion of the 2021/22 Bundesliga campaign, here is the Bulinews team of the season.
After playing a key role in Arminia Bielefeld avoiding the drop in the 2020/21 season, the 29-year-old goalkeeper couldn't save 'Die Arminen' from relegation this time as they finished 17th. Nevertheless, Ortega was arguably even better this term, making 124 saves – more than any other goalkeeper in the league – and saving 73.3 percent of the shots he faced, while keeping six clean sheets. Now available on a free transfer, Ortega shouldn't have any problems finding a new club.
Right-back: Jeremie Frimpong, Bayer Leverkusen
Frimpong emerged as one of Leverkusen's most important players in his first full season at BayArena. Showing plenty of offensive prowess, the quick right-back scored once and set up six goals before suffering an injury blow on matchday 26, and he was sorely missed in the last stage of the season.
Centre-back: Josko Gvardiol, RB Leipzig
You can easily forget that Gvardiol is just 20 years old when you watch him play. Always calm, composed and maintaining a consistent high level of good performances, the youngster quickly nailed down a starting berth for Leipzig, and he will only get better in the future.
Centre-back: Nico Schlotterbeck, Freiburg
Schlotterbeck has earned his move to Borussia Dortmund with his impressive performances for Freiburg this season. Exceeding all expectations, the 22-year-old has gone from making 17 appearances for Union Berlin on loan through an injury-riddled 2020/21 campaign to being one of the best-performing centre-backs in the Bundesliga and a German international.
Left-back: David Raum, Hoffenheim
One of the signings of the season, Raum has been unstoppable down the left-hand side for Hoffenheim this season, chipping in with three goals and 13 assists in his first Bundesliga season.
Central midfielder: Jude Bellingham, Borussia Dortmund
Despite being just 18 years old, Bellingham has emerged as a pivotal player for Borussia Dortmund because of his clear talent and winning mentality. The 2021/22 campaign saw the England international take another impressive step forward in his development, scoring three goals and providing eight assists in 32 Bundesliga games for BVB.
Central midfielder: Salih Özcan, FC Köln
Özcan's remarkable talent was noticed at an early age when he was awarded the prestigious gold Fritz Walter Medal – an annual award given to Germany's brightest prospects – in the U19 category back in 2017. It took a while for his career to really take off, but at the age of 24, the defensive midfielder finally showed just what he's capable of through the 2021/22 season, earning a move to Borussia Dortmund.
Attacking midfielder: Christopher Nkunku, RB Leipzig
Words cannot describe how good Christopher Nkunku's 2021/22 season has been, so we'll let the numbers – 20 goals and 15 assists in 34 Bundesliga games – speak for themselves.
Attacking midfielder: Thomas Müller, FC Bayern
Many of Bayern's players were rotated in and out of the team through the season, but as always, Müller was a constant presence in the German champions' starting eleven, and for good reason. Although he had a slight dip in form towards the end of the season, he still managed to score eight goals and provide a whopping 21 assists in the league.
Striker: Robert Lewandowski, FC Bayern
As per usual, Lewandowski's inclusion in the team of the season is a no-brainer. The Polish international found the net 35 times in 34 league games, taking home another Torjägerkanone in what could be his last season for Bayern.
Striker: Patrik Schick, Leverkusen
Schick narrowly edges out Haaland, who spent a large chunk of the season on the sidelines. After an impressive Euro 2020 campaign, Schick enjoyed the best season of his career yet, getting on the scoresheet 24 times in 27 Bundesliga games for Leverkusen.
