World Cup 2018: 5 Under-23 players who could spearhead Germany’s World Cup defence

Germany have announced their provisional 27-man list for the World Cup and as expected, the team is a mix of youth and experience. While Joachim Loew and his staff opted to name injured Manuel Neuer and Jerome Boateng in the World Cup squad, the abundance of talent meant they were forced to leave out two stars who were responsible for Germany’s extra-time victory in 2014 final – Mario Gotze and Andre Schurrle.

The likes of Phillipp Lahm, Bastian Schweinsteiger, and Lukas Podolski have retired from the international scene since the last Mundial and this World Cup is likely to provide an answer to who will be the future pillars for the Die Mannschaft.

Here’s a pick of five Under-23 stars from the list who will be vying for a place in the starting line-up of the German team in Russia.

#5 Joshua Kimmich (Bayern Munich)

Kimmich will be a starter at Russia 2018

Age: 23

Position: Right-back

The 2017-18 campaign was Joshua Kimmich’s coming-of-age season. The boy who looked bewildered when former manager Pep Guardiola said, “You fu*king aced it. You were bloody sensational,” after a title-deciding Der Klassiker against Borussia Dortmund in 2016, has become a mainstay in the Bayern squad, and is already being touted as their future captain.

The former ‘utility player’ has filled the gap left by Philipp Lahm in Bayern with ease, and coach Loew would be expecting Kimmich to do the same for his country at the upcoming World Cup.

The versatile full-back is equally capable of playing the role of a midfield anchor but considering the lack of options in the right side of defence, and with Loew’s preference for dynamic, attacking football, Kimmich will be expected to take up with right-back slot in the German squad.

The 23-year-old racked up 13 assists and five goals in 40 appearances for Bayern Munich in Bundesliga and Champions League this season and will be in peak form heading to the World Cup.

#4 Timo Werner (RB Leipzig)

Werner will be a man to watch at the Mundial

Age: 22

Position: Striker

One of the biggest problems for Die Mannschaft in the recent past has been the lack of a classy out-and-out centre-forward. With Miroslav Klose hanging up his boots and Mario Gomez in the fag-end of his career, Germany have often struggled to retain possession or play a pass to their ‘target man’ against top opponents.

This is why young Werner’s development as one of Europe’s most sought-after striker would have Loew licking his lips. The Leipzig forward is fast, direct and already has a wealth of experience playing in at the top end with more than 150 appearances in the Bundesliga.

He was a key figure and the Golden Boot winner in Germany’s domination of the 2017 Confederations Cup, and will be heading into World Cup after a steady season with Leipzig where he scored 13 and assisted seven in his 32 appearances in the Bundesliga.

Even though he wasn’t able to replicate the form he showed in the 2016-17 season for Leipzig, he will still be expected to lead the attack for Germany in Russia.

#3 Niklas Sule (Bayern Munich)

Sule's versatility makes him an important member of the German squad

Age: 22

Position: Centre-Back

Like Kimmich and Werner, Niklas Sule heads into the World Cup after a good run of games for his club. Jerome Boateng’s injury allowed the impressive Sule to consolidate his place in the Bayern Munich side this season, after a move from 1899 Hoffenheim.

Sule made 27 appearances for Bayern in Bundesliga this season, often in positions that aren’t familiar to him. His 6-feet-five-inch frame might deceive you into thinking he is another Per Mertesacker, but Sule is equally adept at playing in the midfield.

He is an aggressive tackler, comfortable on the ball, and has an array of passes, all which might come in handy with the German squad looking thin in the midfield with just Sami Khedira and Sebastian Rudy capable of playing the defensive, central-midfield role.

Sule can also play as a full-back, as highlighted by his noteworthy performance marking the fast Leon Bailey in Bayern’s 6-2 win against Bayer Leverkusen in the DFB Cup in April.

It remains to be seen where Loew fancies playing the big Bayern defender but with Boateng still recovering from an injury, Sule will be in contention to start in central defence with his Bayern Munich team-mate Mats Hummels.

#2 Julian Brandt (Bayer Leverkusen)

Gotze's absence from the team could possibly open up a spot for Brandt (right)

Age: 22

Position: Winger

In a team filled with creative midfielders, which includes the likes of the established Mesut Ozil and the ever-reliable Toni Kroos, a starting berth for an attacker is often hard to come by. But judging by Loew’s decision to not take Gotze or Schurrle to Russia, Leverkusen star Julian Brandt might be in the reckoning for a starting role.

The dynamic winger has had an outstanding season with his club where he scored nine goals and assisted three in his 34 appearances in the Bundesliga.

Brandt, a recipient of the prestigious Fritz-Walter Gold Medal in the Under-18 category, is capable of playing in either wings or the centre, and has consistently proven his worth as a creative outlet for his club. The fleet-footed 22-year-old will be in the reckoning for a starting role, considering how Julian Draxler struggled to get game-time in a star-studded Paris Saint-Germain side.

#1 Leroy Sane (Manchester City)

Leroy Sane played a vital role in Manchester City's title-winning campaign.

Age: 22

Position: Winger

Leroy Sane was a key element in Manchester City’s record-shattering 2017-18 Premier League winning team. The former Schalke winger has flourished under the guidance of Pep Guardiola and has added ‘finishing’ to his already rich set of talents. Sane scored 10 goals and assisted 15 in City’s league campaign, and will be a direct rival to Marco Reus in the German squad.

Sane is capable of playing in both the wings, and will be able to form a fast, counter-attacking trio with Brandt and Ozil, especially if Loew opts for a double-pivot 4-2-3-1 formation.

Sane has played in multiple occasions as a wing-back but it is highly unlikely he will be asked to don the role for the German national team. With German mainstays Draxler, Ozil and Reus having had not-so-impressive seasons with their clubs, it will be interesting to see if Loew opts to go with in-form players over the experienced candidates.