Bayern Strikes
Fansided

Bayern Munich’s Sebastian Rudy a solid back-up option for Germany

By Benjamin Scott

LEVERKUSEN, GERMANY - JUNE 08: Sebastian Rudy of Germany laughs prior to the international friendly match between Germany and Saudi Arabia at BayArena on June 8, 2018 in Leverkusen, Germany. (Photo by TF-Images/Getty Images)
LEVERKUSEN, GERMANY - JUNE 08: Sebastian Rudy of Germany laughs prior to the international friendly match between Germany and Saudi Arabia at BayArena on June 8, 2018 in Leverkusen, Germany. (Photo by TF-Images/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit

Bayern Munich midfielder Sebastian Rudy will play a similar role with the German national team this summer as he has with Bayern Munich.

Sebastian Rudy transferred to Bayern Munich last summer, moving to the Bavarian giants on a free from Hoffenheim. After an initially good start under Carlo Ancelotti, things took a turn for the worst when the Italian parted ways with the club.

Rudy became a bit-part player under Jupp Heynckes, rarely starting a match and generally failing to impress when the chances did come. Despite this, the defensive midfielder still received the call-up from Joachim Low to feature for his nation at this summer’s World Cup.

Perhaps the only true holding midfielder in the entire German roster, Rudy does bring something unique to his national side. However, expect him to play a very limited role with Die Mannschaft at this summer’s World Cup.

More from Bayern Strikes

A unique set of skills

Sebastian Rudy, though not the most talented player in the German locker room, does bring a unique set of skills to his Joachim Low’s side. He’s the only real defensive midfielder in the entire squad.

Toni Kroos is perhaps the world’s best ball distributor, but he’s not the most physical of players and his defense can at times be lacking. Ilkay Gundogan is very similar. His attacking talent and playmaking abilities far supersede his defensive ones.

Sami Khedira — Kroos’ most likely partner in midfield — is slightly better in defense, but he’s still not convincing. Despite his excellent physicality, the Juventus man usually plays more of a box-to-box role. The same could be said for young Leon Goretzka. Though both of these players are comfortable putting in a defensive shift, they’re far more effective slightly higher up the pitch.

Sebastian Rudy is the only midfielder in the Germany squad who would prefer to play in a deeper midfield role. He’s the only player more comfortable playing as a number six than a number eight. Should Low decide he wants a little more defensive coverage from his midfield, Rudy may very well be the man he turns to for that.

A solid back-up

Another advantage Rudy brings to the German national team is his comfortability playing as back-up. Although he did not join Bayern Munich to play a secondary role, that’s exactly what he has done so far.

Despite his lack of serious playing time, Rudy has maintained a positive attitude and been willing to step up when called upon. He’s a team player. That kind of attitude is exactly what Joachim Low looks for in his rotation players. That’s why, for example, he’s taking Julian Brandt to Russia and not Leroy Sane.

Rudy knows his role at the World Cup will simply be as a back-up player. And he’s okay with that. He’s not going to Russia to make headlines for himself. He’s going to help his nation win the trophy again, and he’ll fill whatever role necessary to help them do that.

Next: Bayern Munich's top 15 German internationals of all time

Whether as a fill-in right-back to provide Joshua Kimmich some rest or in his preferred holding midfield role, Sebastian Rudy will be ready to step in wherever Joachim Low needs him. And when he’s not getting much playing time, he won’t be causing problems on the bench. The importance of that kind of attitude cannot be overstated.