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

#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.