Kicker Magazine publishes list of five "winners" and "losers" under Flick
As German footballing thoughts begin to turn from the national team back to the Bundesliga, Germany's preeminent footballing publication has published a list of the five biggest "winners" and "losers" among the 38 players utilized by Bundestrainer Hansi Flick ahead of his first major tournament.
| Hansi Flick. |
The Five "Winners"
I. Jamal Musiala
The most obvious choice has served in just about every offensive role under Flick. Musiala's former trainer at club level absolutely loves his budding superstar and has used him in virtually every game. The 19-year-old has been capped 17 times over the last 18 months.
II. Antonio Rüdiger
While the current Real Madrid man initially solidified his starting role under Flick's predecessor Joachim Löw, Rüdiger has effectively become the squad's defensive captain under the new Bundestrainer. The 29-year-old presently counts as the only central defender almost guaranteed a starting spot.
III. Thilo Kehrer
The current West Ham defender has logged 106 minutes under Flick in various different positions along the defensive line. In all likelihood, the former PSG fullback will serve as Germany's starting right-back in the coming tournament. It could also be the case that he starts alongside Rüdiger in central defense.
IV. David Raum
Another fairly obvious choice. Raum meteoric rise over the past 18 months for both club and country constitutes quite the story. The Nürnberg native and former Fürth academy man has started nine times for Flick and only been subbed off once. There really isn't much competition for the starting left-back role on the team at this point.
V. Jonas Hofmann
Even if the Gladbach winger's experiment at right-back may be a thing of the past, the Bundestrainer knows that he has a reliable actor to turn to for both offensive and defensive needs. Flick has never missed a chance to praise the 30-year-old and could conceivably still maintain him as a starter on the right flank.
The Five "Losers"
I. Serge Gnabry
Jogi Löw once famously commented that "Gnabry always plays". The 27-year-old once even occupied the regular lead-striker role under Flick's predecessor. At present, Bayern's new long-term contracted attacker has lost his starting spot for both club and country. Gnabry's form remains very sketchy this year.
II. Leon Goretzka
Joshua Kimmich's one-time inseparable midfield partner has had his injury issues over the last year. Flick seems to prefer playing Ilkay Gündogan alongside Goretzka's Bayern teammate. Current FCB trainer Julian Nagelsmann is also having difficulty reintegrating Goretzka into the squad. Surprisingly enough, it may be the case that the close friends Kimmich and Goretzka might end up not working together at the World Cup.
III. Julian Draxler
The former German national team star--at least at the 2017 Confederations Cup--had long since seen his standing with the national team decline. Löw used him ever more infrequently. Under Flick, the 29-year-old has effectively seen his chances evaporate completely. Draxler has gotten some call-ups, but only been used in a pair of exhibition fixtures.
IV. Robin Gosens
Injuries and David Raum's rise have severely limited the prospects of the Euro 2021 starting left-back. At this juncture, Gosens has slid to third on the depth chart behind Raum and SC Freiburg squad skipper Christian Günter. The 28-year-old--while still a German footballing fan favorite--faces a long road back for both club and country.
V. Lukas Nmecha
The VfL Wolfsburg striker still hasn't scored his first goal for Germany's senior side. This despite Flick regularly turning to him off the bench. Seven substitute appearances haven't yielded the first tally. With Nmecha and Timo Werner still both slumping, talk within German footballing circles is getting quite desperate. The team needs a number nine. Everyone from Simon Terodde to Niclas Füllkrug is being discussed.
