World Cup 2018: 5 key players for Germany in Russia

With just 3 weeks left before the World Cup kicks off, the 2014 winners Germany will be looking to defend their title in Russia. Germany is tipped as one of the hot favorites along with France, Brazil and Spain to lift the trophy in Russia.

The defending champions have started their World Cup preparations in the quiet outskirts of Eppan in Northern Italy, as manager Joachim Low recently announced a 23-man final squad.

The German squad boasts of some of the world's most promising footballers, as they look to replicate the success of 2014. The 58-year-old World Cup winning manager has the luxury of a wide variety of players in different positions, making the selection process even tougher.

The squad has seen some suprise call-ups and exclusions, especially that of Manchester City winger Leroy Sane and 2014 winner Mario Gotze. The young guns in the squad, such as Joshua Kimmich, Timo Werner and Niklas Sule will have some big shoes to fill in retired legends the likes of Philip Lahm, Lukas Podolski, Miroslav Klose and Bastian Schweinsteiger.

Jerome Boateng has stepped up his recovery and has started individual training after he missed the last month of club football due to a hamstring injury, which he picked up during the Champions League semi-final first-leg against Real Madrid.

The 4 time World Champions begin their campaign by facing Mexico on June 17, following it up with a match against Sweden on June 23 and finally ending the group stage against South Korea on June 27.

The Germans started their World Cup preparations with a 2-1 friendly loss against Austria last Saturday and will play against Saudi Arabia on Friday. Low has strictly banned the German players from having sex and using social media during the World Cup.

The 58 year-old, who recently signed a 3-year contract extension with the German national team, will be striving to help his side become the first to win consecutive World Cup titles since Brazil in 1962.

We can look at 5 key players that will help Die Mannschaft lift the World Cup in Russia.

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#5 Manuel Neuer

Manuel Neuer will be looking to prove his full fitness before the World Cup.

A season-long foot injury had forced the captain Manuel Neuer to remain on the sidelines and in the absence of the Bayern Munich goalkeeper, Marc-Andre Ter Stegen has been quite a revolution for the Germans.

Come the World Cup, Neuer will be striving to regain the number one position between the sticks. The sweeper-keeper played an integral part in Germany winning the World Cup in Brazil, earning him the Golden Glove Award .

With the retirement of Phillip Lahm after the tournament, Neuer has also taken up the responsibility of captaining Low's side.

#4 Marco Reus

Marco Reus will be looking to make most of the chance of winning an International medal.

The latter half of the 2017/18 season has brought a sense of revival for the 28-year-old Marco Reus.

The Borussia Dortmund talisman has been on top form after a long spell of injuries. He will be looking to pass on his club success into national colours by proving to be a threat to opposition defences. He has scored 7 goals from 11 matches for Dortmund this season.

He was one of the main players that formed Germany's attack force in 2014, but missed the plane to Brazil due to an ankle injury suffered during a friendly against Armenia.

Eventually, Germany lifted the World Cup in Brazil for the 4th time in its history, so Reus will be all fired up to prove his attacking prowess to the footballing world.

#3 Leon Goretzka

Leon Goretzka will hold the midfield along with the likes of Mesut Ozil and Toni Kroos.

The 2017/18 season has been quite a successful one for Leon Gotetzka.

The 23-year-old midfielder has been one of the main reasons for FC Schalke earning a spot in the UEFA Champions league. He formed an attacking partnership with Austrian striker Guido Burgstaller, who notched up 11 goals.

The German midfielder will don the red and white jersey, as he earned a move to Bayern Munich and will play an important role in incoming coach Niko Kovac's season objectives.

After earning a spot in Low's World Cup squad, he will be looking to cement his place as a regular player for the future.

#2 Timo Werner

Timo Werner will be looking to create an impact on the International scene

Timo Werner is currently one of the most prolific strikers in the Bundesliga. The RB Leipzig attacker has had a terrific season, scoring 13 goals and providing 7 assists.

The German has been on the radar of Europe's top-flight clubs due to his fiery pace and his top-class finishing. His is deadly with his shooting, as he can strike the ball into the post from difficult angles.

Germany definitely has one of the best-attacking weapons in their arsenal. He would be looking to light up the World Cup with his blistering pace.

#1 Joshua Kimmich

Joshua Kimmich would be Pivotal in Germany's World Cup plans

Joshua Kimmich has been one of the most promising German talents.

He has been a clear-cut replacement for former World Cup winning captain Lahm, both for club and country. He has been a serious goal threat for the opposition, racking up 6 goals and 14 assists - only second best to teammate Thomas Muller, who has 16 assists.

He has been instrumental to Germany's World Cup qualifying campaign, helping his nation to qualify for the mega event in Russia with a clinical record of 10 wins out of the possible 10 matches.

The Bayern right-back has already got an international medal in his kitty, as he played an important role in Germany's 2017 Confederations Cup triumph. His consistent performances for the double champions has led to him being named as Germany's 2017 Player of the Year, so expect more from him in Russia.