Position: Centre-back (quarter-back) Bundesliga archetype: Jerome Boateng Little wonder Hoffenheim sealed an automatic Champions League place for the first time in their history. Just as effective once in possession, Vogt's 2,474 touches were a league high last term. A top speed of 22 miles per hour make Vogt the perfect man to plug gaps that might emerge in behind more conventional centre-backs when a through-ball or long pass forward from the opposition beats them. Under the auspices of the Bundesliga's youngest ever coach Julian Nagelsmann, he has been remoulded into the perfect sweeper, though. Not so long ago, Vogt was a journeyman central midfielder who had a respectable Bundesliga career with Bochum, Augsburg and Cologne but without setting the world alight. Position: Centre-back (sweeper) Bundesliga archetype: Kevin Vogt Naldo scored seven times - more than any other Bundesliga defender - including a stunning last-minute header to snatch a 4-4 draw with Revierderby rivals Borussia Dortmund on Matchday 13. A centre-forward's worst nightmare, the 6'6" enforcer won 73 percent of his challenges in 2017/18, completed 91 percent of his passes, while his goal-threat at the other end was outstanding. That Schalke defender Naldo was a serious candidate for Brazil's World Cup squad underlines just how impressive the 35-year-old was in his 12th Bundesliga season. Position: Centre-back (stopper) Bundesliga archetype: Naldo Goals scored home and away in the UEFA Champions League semi-finals against eventual European champions Real Madrid further confirmed Kimmich’s nascent talent. Ten assists in the Bundesliga season just gone might have been 18 had his teammates converted the further eight clear-cut chances he created. Now 23, Kimmich has fused those skill-sets to become arguably the world’s best right-back. Initially a box-to-box midfielder, the former RB Leipzig man was even used at centre-back by Pep Guardiola in the 2015/16 season. Those worried about how Bayern and Germany might replace Philipp Lahm – a paragon in the position – have had those fears allayed by the stunning emergence of Kimmich. Position: Wing-back Bundesliga archetype: Joshua Kimmich Not that Hector is uncomfortable further forward, as evidenced by his Goal of the Month winner for May. A full-back who would rather sit back and offer support to the defenders inside him and the midfielder up ahead, Hector's influence at Cologne was palpable last term: in the 20 games he started, Effzeh picked up an average of one point per game in the 14 without him they only managed an average of 0.6. However, it's not for nothing that Joachim Löw has picked him almost without interruption since the November following Die Mannschaft's triumph in Brazil. Hector may be the most loyal man in football - Germany's first-choice left-back is staying with Cologne next season despite the Billy Goats' relegation to Bundesliga 2.
Watch: Neuer and his Bundesliga brethren at their best! Position: Full-back Bundesliga archetype: Jonas Hector And for anyone who doubts that the 32-year-old is averse to the traditional nitty-gritty of the position, it’s worth knowing that Neuer has repelled an average of 77 percent of his shots in more than a DECADE in the Bundesliga. When his team is in possession he is just as valuable, with distribution and technique honed from moonlighting in midfield in training. On the rare occasions that his club or national team defence is breached, Neuer races off his line to quell the danger. Neuer has the shot-stopping ability of anyone who has gone before him, but the term “sweeper-keeper” was effectively invented for the Bayern Munich man, who has revolutionised the position in a 12-year career which has brought six Bundesliga titles, a UEFA Champions League and the 2014 FIFA World Cup with Germany.
The best goalkeeper in the world, and arguably of all time.
takes a closer look… Position: Goalkeeper Bundesliga archetype: Manuel Neuer Football, soccer, the beautiful game… it’s estimated that more than 250 million people play the sport in some capacity worldwide, but who is doing what, and where, when the 22 players take to the field?įrom Manuel Neuer to Robert Lewandowski, the German top flight boasts some of the best players in the world in their positions.