Euro 2020: Germany's Ones to Watch Ahead of the Summer
By Tom Gott
They say there is nothing more dangerous than a wounded animal. At Euro 2020, Germany are hoping to prove that saying right.
The 2018 World Cup was one of the lowest points in the recent history of the German national team, and the humiliation of only narrowly missing out on relegation to League B in the UEFA Nations League wasn't much better.
After all, this is a nation which won the World Cup in 2014 and reached the semi-finals of Euro 2016. Germany are really, really good - they just haven't been playing that way.
They chose to remain committed to manager Joachim Löw, who responded by bringing through some more youth to the team, which helped Germany storm through qualifying with seven wins from eight games.
There are plenty of stars in the German national team, but here are four talents you should keep an eye out for this summer.
Kai Havertz
Bayer Leverkusen midfielder Kai Havertz is on the cusp of superstardom. Still just 20 years old, he has regularly been touted as the future of German football.
Last season, he bagged 20 goals from Leverkusen's midfield, which tells you everything you need to know about Havertz. He's a towering physical presence who boasts deceptive agility and a devastating eye for goal.
Germany's stacked squad has made it hard for Havertz to make a major impact on the senior stage, but it is surely just a matter of time. When he gets on the pitch, he can make things happen. There's a reason why Real Madrid, Barcelona, Bayern Munich and Liverpool have been linked with him.
Julian Brandt
Havertz's former running mate in Leverkusen, Brandt earned himself a move to Borussia Dortmund during the summer, where he has continued his rise to prominence.
Primarily a central midfielder, the 23-year-old usually operates on the left wing for Löw's national team because of the immense competition in midfield. It's not his strongest position, but Brandt is still more than good enough to shine out there.
Another powerful, nimble midfielder with a love of both goals and assists, Brandt could well be a vital part of Die Mannschaft's push towards European glory.
Suat Serdar
The German talent factory is always hard at work churning out wonderkid after wonderkid, and one of the latest off the assembly line is 22-year-old Schalke midfielder Suat Serdar.
His reputation has been growing ever since he made his Bundesliga debut back in 2015, but this has been his true breakout year. Serdar has added goals to his game and now looks to be the perfect example of a complete midfielder.
Like both Havertz and Brandt, earning minutes in midfield has not been easy, so Serdar has been shifted out to the wing at times, but he's another of those who could soon be making a real name for himself.
Serge Gnabry
It's hard to believe that Serge Gnabry is only 24 years old. He had the world at his feet as a teenager with Arsenal, but then was branded the biggest flop of all time for failing to make it at West Brom. Now with Bayern, he's a bona fide star.
He proved himself during Euro 2020 qualification and now simply has to be viewed as one of the tournament's most exciting talents. Comfortable both on the wing and out wide, Gnabry brings pace, goals, pace, power, pace and excitement. Oh, and pace.
Gnabry has been outstanding for both club and country this season, and he will undoubtedly be key to any success the Germans enjoy in the summer.
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