#Joshua Kimmich
He might have got a lucky break to get into the team, but boy has he done well since then. Playing his first game against the Irish, he was brilliant, so good that Joachim Löw dropped Howedes to start the Bayern youngster in the round of 16.
He hasn't looked back since then, a defensive midfielder by trade, he showed maturity beyond his years to adapt to a relatively unknown position. Whether it is putting mean crosses in the box, or a last-ditch challenge, or counter the Italians in their formation, or getting into the box to head balls, he has been impeccable. He is, at the moment, the favourite to pick up the award.
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