Kevin Volland
Striker could be a Euro 2020 surprise
“When your last game for the national team is so long ago you stop waiting for that phone call”
Bayer Leverkusen fans should thank their lucky stars that the Werkself’s in-form striker, who recently made headlines with an outstanding brace in a thrilling 4-3 Bundesliga victory over Borussia Dortmund, did not stay true to his family’s sporting business.
Volland’s father Andreas represented Germany at ice hockey, and growing up in Bavaria the young Kevin showed a great deal of promise with a stick and a puck, only to eventually come to the conclusion that football was his numberone calling.
At 15 he joined the Munich 1860 youth ranks and five years later he moved to Hoffenheim. For the last three-and-a-half seasons, he has featured for Leverkusen.
Now 27, the left-footed front man has certainly been pulling out all the stops in the last 18 months. During the 2019 calendar year he was directly involved in 30 Bundesliga goals – with 13 of his own and 17 assists – and is on course to produce the same sort of numbers this term. Little wonder a number of Premier League sides, notably Arsenal, are on his case at the moment. With his tiny size 3 boots, his shooting is as accurate as it is powerful, while he also works well with his back to goal.
Up until early last year Volland’s position on the field tended to be a moveable feast, as likely to be stationed out wide or “in the hole” as leading the line. But since ex-Ajax and Dortmund boss Peter Bosz took over mid-way through last season, Volland is now used only as an attacking spearhead.
At long last he has put down roots in his best role. What’s more, Bosz’s direct style suits him down to the ground.
Could he now be in line for a berth in Germany’s Euro 2020 squad? Many believe he is a genuine contender, but there is a sticking point: Bundestrainer
Joachim Low clearly does not appear to rate him.
Volland earned the last of his 10 caps in 2016 and, to tell the truth, never particularly did himself justice in DFB colours, being more than a little hesitant and scoring on just one occasion.
“My [senior international] hopes have died of late,” he says. “When your last game for the national team is so long ago you stop waiting for that phone call.”
By way of consolation, though, he could turn to this year’s Olympic Games in Tokyo as one of Germany’s over-age players at the tournament.