Young Players to watch out for in the Bundesliga 2011-12 season (Part 2)
http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Toni-Kroos-c35425
Age: 21
Club: Bayern Munich
The Bayern Munich midfielder was touted to be the next big thing when he put in some brilliant performances during his loan spell at Bayer Leverkusen two years ago. But the player’s form dipped in the previous campaign and he failed
to live up to the high expectations.
However, an excellent pre-season campaign with the Munich giants this year and a sensational showing for http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Brazil-c2858 in an international Friendly in August this year has put the player back in contention for a player
to watch out for this season.
Kroos was loaned out to Bayer Leverkusen in the winter transfer window of the year 2009. The player did not make an instant impact but his performances were impressive which led the club to acquire him on-loan until the summer
of 2010.
The midfielder had a breakthrough season as he cemented his place in the first team and had a sensational campaign. He scored a terrific nine goals that season in a total of 35 appearances for Werkself and subsequently earned his
first call-up for the national side in March that year.
Bayern Munich’s constant injury problems to players like Franck Ribery and http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Arjen-Robben-c6521 over the years means that the young German international will get a chance to prove himself. Although he is an attacking midfielder naturally,
he can also play in the centre of the park which would give Jupp Heynckes a lot of versatility in the midfield area.
Toni Kroos will be looking to improve his scoring record with the Bavarian giants as he has been able to net only three goals in his time at Allianz Arena.
Ilkay Gundogan
Age: 20
Club: Borussia Dortmund
Ilkay Gundogan was signed in this summer’s transfer window by Dortmund manager Jurgen Klopp as a potential replacement for last year’s star player http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Nuri-Sahin-c28251, who played a vital role in the club’s journey to become Bundesliga champions.
The midfielder was signed from http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/1-FC-Nuremberg-c38162 where he spent two years playing as a first-team player.
Another German footballer with Turkish descent, Gundogan is rated by many as one of the brightest prospects for the future. The player had a great season last term with FC Nuremberg as he guided his side to an excellent sixth placed
finish.
Sahin’s departure to Real Madrid this summer left a void in the centre of midfield and Gundogan was handed over a huge responsibility of filling in the boots of the Turkish international.
Gundogan impressed heavily when he played in the German Supercup clash against Schalke 04 at the Veltins-Arena in Gelsenkirchen. His coordination with the likes of Mario Gotze and http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Shinji-Kagawa-c33364 was brilliant throughout and he was
unfortunate to end up on the losing side.
His performance in the DFL-Supercup earned him a call-up for Die Mannschaft’s Friendly against Brazil in August at the Mercedes-Benz Arena in Stuttgart. But the player warmed the bench throughout the match as Mario Gotze and Toni
Kroos starred in the home side’s 3-2 win.
The former http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/VfL-Bochum-c40880 player definitely has the talent and ability but the fact the he could handle the pressure of replacing Sahin and defending the Bundesliga title, it remains to be seen.
Disclaimer: The views expressed in this article are the writer's own and in no way represent Bettor.com's official editorial policy.
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