PLAYERS TO WATCH

NADIEM AMIRI

(Bayer Leverkusen) Dynamic, skilful and multi-dimensional midfielder, who does not always receive the recognition he is due. The 24-year-old of Afghan heritage has five Germany caps, the last of which came at the end of 2020.

WATARU ENDO (Stuttgart)

Last season, his first in the Bundesliga following a move from Belgian side Sint-Truiden, the Japanese defensive midfielder was a revelation: strong on the ball, a great tackler, full of energy and an intelligent reader of the game.

JOSKO GVARDIOL

(RB Leipzig)

Treading the same route as Spain forward Dani Olmo, Gvardiol arrives in Leipzig from Dinamo Zagreb. RB have a nose for top-grade youngsters and believe they have another gem in the Croatia defender, on duty at the recent Euros.

GREGOR KOBEL (Borussia Dortmund) Excellent in goal for newlypromoted Stuttgart last season, the 23-year-old was recently rewarded with a €15m move to Dortmund. A Swiss U21 international, he was a late call-up to the Euro 2020 squad after an injury to Jonas Omlin.

STEFAN ORTEGA (Arminia Bielefeld)

It speaks volumes for the German-born keeper of Spanish stock that Bayern have been tracking him. Apart from the 28-yearold’s great shot-stopping ability, he is arguably the best ball-playing custodian in the Bundesliga.

NICO SCHLOTTERBECK (Freiburg)

Very promising young centre-back who was an ever-present as Germany Under-21s claimed the European title this summer. Came back strong in the second half of last term after a lengthy spell out with a hamstring injury.

LARS STINDL (Borussia Monchengladbach)

What would Glabach do without their evergreen attacking midfielder? Exemplary in both his creativity and finishing, the 32-year-old is the team’s final-third brains. He sets the tone and provides the inspiration.

CHRISTOPHER TRIMMEL (Union Berlin)

Whether used on the wing or at right-back, Union’s golden oldie skipper is a constant source of will-towin, sound leadership and assists (he managed ten last season). The Austrian offers inch-perfect delivery from set-pieces.

DAYOT UPAMECANO (Bayern Munich)

Already one of the top five central defenders in the Bundesliga, the young France international, 22, has the potential to go even higher in the rankings. Bayern had to find €42.5m to trigger his RB Leipzig release clause this year.

WOUT WEGHORST (Wolfsburg)

Late blooming striker, who played a part in countless goals for the upwardly mobile Wolves last term, scoring 20 and making another eight. The Dutch international combines an imposing physique, a deft touch and a killer instinct.