By Simon Wright – Follow me on Twitter @Siwri88
The Bundesliga is one of the top leagues in European
football and week in, week out – it sees some inspirational performances from skilful
individuals. Add that to superb shot-stopping from goalkeepers and leaders at
the back, the league is full of talent. It has been evident once more in
2016/2017.
As the 18 BL teams reset for the festive period and a
well-deserved winter break, I’ve decided to select my team of the season so
far. 11 players and 1 coach make the grade.
It wasn’t easy, especially when I had to consider the formation I wanted
to use. In the end, I’ve elected to go with the continental 4-3-3 approach.
Goalkeeper:
Lukas Hradecky (Eintracht Frankfurt)
Finnish international Lukas Hradecky has been the standout
performer between the sticks this season. He has already kept seven clean
sheets this term and has made some outstanding saves to keep Eintracht
Frankfurt in the chasing pack for European qualification.
Hradecky showed flashes of his potential last term but also
littered it with some bad errors. Apart from a misjudgement on Matchday 2 in
Darmstadt, he hasn’t put a foot wrong all season and his commanding presence
has certainly improved Frankfurt’s defensive cohesion.
ALSO CONSIDERED:
Manuel Neuer (FC Bayern München), Olivier Baumann (TSG 1899 Hoffenheim)
Right-Back:
Lukasz Piszczek (Borussia Dortmund)
Lukasz Piszczek has been written off before but he never
seems to let any critics get the better of him. At 31, he is arguably playing
the best football of his career. Having shaken off injury problems that have
hindered his progress in the last couple of seasons, the Pole’s experience and
attacking instincts have made Borussia Dortmund a big threat down the
right-hand side.
Piszczek has also chipped in with three goals too and is a
threat at set-pieces; something that opposition players don’t seem to be aware
of. He is maybe a surprise pick in my Team of the Season but he hasn’t had a
bad game all campaign for Dortmund so far. You can’t say that about many of
their players.
ALSO CONSIDERED:
Mitchell Weiser (Hertha BSC), Frederik Sorensen (1. FC Köln)
Centre
Back: Willi Orban (RB Leipzig)
Undoubtedly, Willi Orban has been the best centre-back of
the campaign. He knows when to time his tackles and shows great leadership in
the Leipzig backline. Often the on-field skipper with Dominik Kaiser restricted
to substitute roles this season; Orban has shown great maturity and been a
major catalyst for why Leipzig is doing so well.
His winner in Leverkusen on Matchday 11 will be fondly
remembered by Leipzig fans as it was the night they went top of the Bundesliga
table for the first time in their history.
Centre-Back:
Niklas Süle (TSG 1899 Hoffenheim)
Still only 21, 2016 has been a breakthrough year for Niklas Süle.
A silver medal at the Rio Olympics also earned him a maiden international
call-up for Germany. His form at club level has been impeccable too and scouts
around the world are definitely impressed. Chelsea and FC Bayern München are
already interested in acquiring his services. Süle has the rare mixture of
being a tall but also very powerful defender. Great in the air, good on the
ball and an expert in the sliding tackle.
His star will continue to shine. Hoffenheim should be able
to warn off any suitors in the January transfer window but they will struggle
to keep him past the summer on current evidence.
ALSO CONSIDERED: Mats
Hummels (FC Bayern München), Marvin Compper (RB Leipzig), Jesus Vallejo
(Eintracht Frankfurt), Mergim Mavraj (1. FC Köln)
Left-Back:
Marvin Plattenhardt (Hertha BSC)
Marvin Plattenhardt is a very good left-back who has gone
under the radar. Hertha’s attacking formation allows him to get forward and support
the wingers. However, he knows when to time these runs forward and he is
improving on all aspects of his game. Tackling was a weakness in his all-round
performances a few seasons ago. Hard work on the training pitch though is
starting to pay off for Plattenhardt.
He is also a set-piece specialist. A cracking free-kick
against Darmstadt on Matchday 16 set Hertha up for a 2-0 victory that ensures
they go into the winter break once again in the Bundesliga’s top three. All six
of Plattenhardt’s Bundesliga career goals have been direct free-kicks.
ALSO CONSIDERED:
Seas Kolasinac (FC Schalke 04), Marcel Halstenberg (RB Leipzig)
Defensive
Midfield: Xabi Alonso (FC Bayern München)
Considering that Carlo Ancelotti shipped Xabi Alonso off to
Bayern during his Real Madrid reign, the popular Spaniard might have feared
that Ancelotti’s arrival at the Allianz Arena would mean he would be frozen
out. He had no reason to worry.
Alonso scored the first goal of the 2016/2017 season with a
magnificent volley against SV Werder Bremen. It was the kind of trademark we’ve
associated with Alonso throughout his career. He is still one of the best
passers in world football, has added a more dynamic goal threat this season and
when he doesn’t play, Bayern definitely miss his passing, leadership and
experience.
ALSO CONSIDERED:
Nabil Bentaleb (FC Schalke 04), Daniel Baier (FC Augsburg)
Centre
Midfield: Naby Keïta (RB Leipzig)
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| Naby Keita has been one of the best players of the whole campaign |
At just over £13m, Naby Keïta’s acquisition by RB Leipzig
looks like being one of the signings of the season. He was given a gentle
introduction to the Bundesliga with substitute appearances to begin with, but
his matchwinning goal against Borussia Dortmund on Matchday 2 will go down as one
of the most memorable moments of the season.
Keïta (pictured above) is the complete all-round central midfielder, striking
the perfect balance between defence and attack. He reminds me of N’Golo Kante,
just with a bit more attacking instinct. Leipzig will be relieved that he won’t
be going to the African Cup of Nations as Guinea failed to qualify for the
tournament. He has been one of the standout players of the entire campaign.
Centre
Midfield: Marco Fabian (Eintracht Frankfurt)
This was a very tricky position to fill, largely because
there have been some impressive performances by several players. However, I’ve
gone with someone who has fulfilled his potential after a shaky start.
Marco Fabian arrived in the Bundesliga in January from
Mexican football and it is fair to say that it took him time to adjust to the
European game; possibly too long in the eyes of many Frankfurt fans. This
season, he has been the driving force behind the Eagles’ rise up the table with
three goals and four assists, including crucial strikes against Bayer
Leverkusen and Bayern Munich.
Fabian offers the flair Frankfurt are looking for. If he can
stay clear of injury, they could cause a real surprise in the chase for
Champions League qualification.
ALSO CONSIDERED: Yunus
Malli (1. FSV Mainz 05), Kevin Kampl (Bayer 04 Leverkusen), Christian Pulisic
(Borussia Dortmund)
Attacking
Forward: Timo Werner (RB Leipzig)
Timo Werner has always been a player who has promised
plenty. It never quite happened for him at his previous club, VfB Stuttgart.
This was through a combination of injuries and confidence. However, he has
flourished in his new surroundings since transferring to Leipzig in early July.
He scored his first goal for his new employers in the
second-half rout in Hamburg in September and hasn’t looked back since. Werner
has already produced a return of nine Bundesliga goals and surely, a maiden
German senior international call-up can’t be too far away now.
He didn’t win many fans for the penalty he won against
Schalke on Matchday 13 but Werner’s game has gone up a level since his move.
Leipzig has brought the best out of a player who always looked destined for
great things.
Attacking
Forward: Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang (Borussia Dortmund)
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang has continued to dazzle this
season, even if Borussia Dortmund haven’t managed to hit the heights they were
expected to in pre-season.
He is the league’s top scorer with 16 goals – four coming in
one match away to Hamburg and he scored the only goal in ‘Der Klassiker’ to
inflict the sole defeat on Bayern Munich so far in this campaign.
Aubameyang has got everything in his game. Speed, flair,
power, penalty expert and deadly finishing inside the box. He is fast becoming
one of the best natural finishers in the European game.
ALSO CONSIDERED: Emil
Forsberg (RB Leipzig), Serge Gnabry (SV Werder Bremen), Julian Brandt (Bayer 04
Leverkusen), Franck Ribéry (FC Bayern München), Pablo de Blasis (1. FSV Mainz
05)
Forward: Anthony
Modeste (1. FC Köln)
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| Anthony Modeste's goals have put Cologne in European contention |
I’m amazed that Anthony Modeste (pictured) has been overlooked by
France coach Didier Deschamps in regards to the international scene. Another
goal on Matchday 16 against Bayer Leverkusen took the striker’s tally to 13 for
the campaign. Only Aubameyang has scored more so far in the Bundesliga.
Modeste is probably the best forward in aerial combat and it
is no secret that a lot of his goals come with his head as a result. He has had
some tricky spells in his career but Köln has brought the best out of him. He’s
now managed 27 goals for them in just over 18 months with the club. If they don’t
get European football next season and at the age of 28, don’t be shocked to see
him move on to a club that can offer him this.
ALSO CONSIDERED:
Robert Lewandowski (FC Bayern München), Sandro Wagner (TSG 1899 Hoffenheim),
Vedad Ibisevic (Hertha BSC)
Coach: Julian
Nagelsmann (TSG 1899 Hoffenheim)
I have to go with the manager who hasn’t lost a Bundesliga
game so far this season. Julian Nagelsmann’s high-pressing style has impressed
many and he is one of the brightest managers in the European game.
TSG 1899 Hoffenheim might have drawn 10 of their 16 matches
in the Bundesliga this season but for them to still be unbeaten is quite a
remarkable achievement. If they can add a bit more clinical approach to their
play, bright things will be expected in the New Year.
ALSO CONSIDERED: Ralph
Hasenhüttl (RB Leipzig), Pal Dardai (Hertha BSC)
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