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A way too early prediction of Germany’s Euro 2020 squad

By Benjamin Scott

KAZAN, RUSSIA - JUNE 27, 2018: Germanys Joshua Kimmich, Leon Goretzka, Marco Reus, Timo Werner, Mesut Ozil (L-R front), goalkeeper Manuel Neuer, Toni Kroos, Mats Hummels, Sami Khedira, Jonas Hector, and Niklas Sule (L-R back) pose ahead of their 2018 FIFA World Cup Group F match against South Korea at Kazan Arena Stadium. Sergei Savostyanov/TASS (Photo by Sergei SavostyanovTASS via Getty Images)
KAZAN, RUSSIA - JUNE 27, 2018: Germanys Joshua Kimmich, Leon Goretzka, Marco Reus, Timo Werner, Mesut Ozil (L-R front), goalkeeper Manuel Neuer, Toni Kroos, Mats Hummels, Sami Khedira, Jonas Hector, and Niklas Sule (L-R back) pose ahead of their 2018 FIFA World Cup Group F match against South Korea at Kazan Arena Stadium. Sergei Savostyanov/TASS (Photo by Sergei SavostyanovTASS via Getty Images) /
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(Photo by TF-Images/Getty Images)
(Photo by TF-Images/Getty Images) /

Midfield

Germany’s biggest area of concern at this summer’s World Cup was arguably their midfield, which was practically nonexistent for much of their three games. Defensive cover was scant and creativity was lacking. Surely there will be some changes in this department before 2020.

Sami Khedira and Mesut Ozil, two major names of the German national team for the past decade, could be staying home for Euro 2020. Sebastian Rudy — whose World Cup debut was cut short thanks to a broken nose — will also miss out.

Toni Kroos, who at once looked to be Germany’s 2018 World Cup hero after his game-winner against Sweden, will likely retain his spot as Die Mannschaft’s metronomic presence in the middle of the park. If new Bayern Munich signing Leon Goretzka continues his rapid development, he’ll be a surefire choice to partner Kroos in midfield.

Manchester City’s Ilkay Gundogan will provide another creative midfield option, though he must perform much better than he did in Russia. Similarly, I predict the versatile Julian Draxler to still be part of Germany’s national side in 2020. But the extent to which he features will largely be dependent on how he does at club level over the next two seasons.

Emre Can, who missed out on the 2018 World Cup, will bring some more physicality to the midfield, provided his move to Juventus doesn’t completely tank. And Borussia Dortmund man Julian Weigl, who will be 24 in 2020, will add a true defensive midfielder to the squad.