With the new season kicking off recently, familiar predictions and knee jerk reactions are coming through. While Champions and relegation places are predictions made by most, here, the OOTB team looks into the crystal ball to pick the breakout players of the 2015-16 season.
Julian Brandt // Leverkusen // 19 // Midfielder
The German football machine just keeps on churning doesn’t it. The list of young players coming through the ranks in the Bundesliga is seemingly endless, but in Julian Brandt, Bayer Leverkusen have a world class player in waiting. He may not have burst onto the scene last year, but plenty of promise was shown from the then 18-year old. Now 19, and already a super-sub appearance in Bayer’s 2-1 win over Hoffenheim in their domestic opener (that included the match winner in the 71st minute), Brandt is a staking a claim for a first-team place in a Leverkusen attack that includes other young talents like Hakan Calhanoglu and Karim Bellarabi. Being brought on for Son (who was poor) and finding the net to secure all three points will only help his chances in cementing the starting birth on the left-wing this season. – Andrew Thompson (AFCBvB1410)
Julian Weigl // Borussia Dortmund // 19 // Midfielder
When Borussia Dortmund purchased the German youth international from 1860 Munich in the summer, everyone heralded the signing as one for the future – few, if any, could have predicted that he could very well be one for the present as well. Weigl was exceptional in his full debut for BvB in their 4-0 dismantling of Borussia Mönchengladbach. Despite proven holding midfielder Sven Bender being fit, Weigl was given the nod by Thomas Tuchel and he did not disappoint, even registering the best passing rate of any Dortmund player on the day. He still has plenty of maturing to do and he undoubtedly will have a few of those “young days” where we are reminded that he is still just only 19, but if his performance was anything to go by, the Westfalenstadion outfit have another very good young player on their books. – Andrew Thompson (AFCBvB1410)
Pierre-Emile Höjbjerg // Bayern Munich // 20 // Midfielder
He’s never made more than eight appearances in the league for Bayern Munich, but his loan spell at Augsburg during the second half of last season gave many a window into just how good the Danish international could be. He may have only registered two goals and three assists in 16 appearances for the Bavarian minnows, but it’s the level of composure and control in central areas that Höjbjerg added to the midfield that made him such a success in half a season. It’s difficult to say how much faith Pep Guardiola will put in him this season however, with Xabi Alonso, Thiago Alcántara, Arturo Vidal, Sebastian Rode, Rafinha and Javi Martinez all fighting for the same places. Whether his future lies in Munich or elsewhere, the young Dane certainly has plenty to offer…it’s just a matter of working out which crowd will be getting behind him. – Andrew Thompson (AFCBvB1410)
Leroy Sané // Schalke // 19 // Midfielder
Still at the tender age of 19, Leroy Sané finds himself at the right place at the right time at Schalke. The Gelsenkirchen-based club find themselves in a tough position domestically, with Julian Draxler moving away. But the emergence of Sané last season gives Die Königsblauen a young player ready to step into a starting role. With plenty of time to develop and no realistic expectations for Schalke to truly challenge at the top, this is the perfect opportunity for the club to put faith in another promising young player. If his performances last season as well as what he has shown us early doors in this campaign are kept up, their faith will surely be repaid.- Andrew Thompson (AFCBvB1410)
Timo Baumgartl // Stuttgart // 19 // Defender
It’s been a less than desirable start for Die Schwaben this season. Three losses in three outings and the worst defensive record in the Bundesliga at the moment is unacceptable, and much of the pressure will fall on to the young shoulders of Timo Baumgartl. The 19-year old center back has been at the heart of the Stuttgart defense in all three matches this season, so surely some criticisms will be levied his way. The truth of the matter however is that its rare that defenders that young are ready made to be a rock at the back, and as long as he is handled right and matures over the season, Baumgartl could well prove his detractors wrong. – Andrew Thompson (AFCBvB1410)
Francisco Rodriguez // Wolfsburg // 20 // Midfielder
Wolfsburg’s bright start to the season now comes under a shroud of concerns with both Kevin De Bruyne and Ivan Perisic leaving the club for Manchester City and Inter Milan respectively. Swiss youth international Francisco Rodriguez could offer an option to replace these considerable losses. The tricky youngster moved from Swiss club FC Zürich this summer with high expectations surrounding him, and with the aforementioned departures, there will never be a better moment for him to seize his chance of breaking into the XI at the Volkswagen Arena. – Andrew Thompson (AFCBvB1410)
Devante Parker//19//Midfielder//Mainz
More and more German-American players are becoming prevalent in the youth ranks of clubs across Germany and Devante Parker is the latest looking to make an impact at the top level. Having made his debut in the Bundesliga last August against Hannover, and making a handful of German junior national team appearances to boot, it has become clear that he is being looked at to make the jump to the first team. With a good first touch and deft skill, not to mention a decent shot, he will be eager to make his nine years in Mainz’s youth ranks count. – Phil Baki (@bakiBalboa)
Mahmoud Dahoud//19//Midfielder//Borussia Mönchengladbach
Born in Amuda, Syria Mahmoud Dahoud has found a home in Germany and is climbing his way up the pecking order at Borussia-Park. He is a central midfielder who can no doubt learn from the solid group of midfielders at the club, among them Granit Xhaka. Having been handed the number 8 shirt this season, he looks set to have a presence in the first team and has made three substitute appearances to this point. His poise in possession is far beyond his years and he could prove to be a fantastic presence in Mönchengladbach’s midfield for some time to come. – Phil Baki (@bakiBalboa)
Jonathan Tah//19//Defender//Bayer Leverkusen
Jonathan Tah may be one of the few players on this list that have quite a bit of expectation attached to their potential. Having already played at Hamburger SV, earning himself a transfer to Leverkusen, his new employers will be expecting performances right away. It seems they have gotten them too, with Tah being rated 7.5 or above his first two games of the season by WhoScored. Tah has the potential to be a star turn in the Bundesliga this season. – Phil Baki (@bakiBalboa)
Nadeim Amiri//18//Midfielder//Hoffenheim
Nadeim Amiri made his Bundesliga debut February 7, 2015, starting for Hoffenheim against Wolfsburg. From there, he made six more first-team appearances for achtzehn99. Despite his current status somewhere between the first team and reserves, it seems unlikely that the skillful attacking midfielder will remain out of the team long. Already capped at the youth levels in Germany, Nadeim has quite a bright future ahead and will certainly add to his appearance count for Hoffenheim quite soon. – Phil Baki (@bakiBalboa)
Read about the Premier League breakout stars, and about Talent Radar
