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The Bundesliga seems to be the latest big market in Europe. Their academies are all bearing fruit at the same time and are producing some of the most sought-after talents in the world. Their discipline along with the solid foundation they're all drilled with are the exact kind of qualities most of the 'top' teams are looking for these days.
We've seen the likes of Mario Gotze, Thomas Muller, Mesut Ozil and more succeed in their teams this past couple of years but who are the ones who can emulate their seniors and take the footballing world by its horns? Here are seven youngsters from the Bundesliga who are expected to have an incredible season – in no particular order – and possibly stamp their authority in their respective teams.
Joshua Kimmich
"He will be one of the best German footballers of the next decade," said Pep Guardiola, the German's former manager at Bayern Munich. Ever since his €8.5 million move from RB Leipzig to Bayern Munich, Joshua Kimmich has gone from strength to strength.
A central midfielder by trade, Kimmich, is well ahead of most of the player in his age bracket. His understanding of the game is exceptional and seems to have fit right into the Bayern squad regularly breaking up play by the opposition and finding the right pass forward. A joy for the attacking talents Carlo Ancelotti has.
Kimmich is only 21 and in time will become a mainstay at both Bayern and the German national team and having already made four appearances for the German club this season, is en route to achieving said goals.
Max Meyer
Germany's Under-21 captain, Maximilian Meyer, is turning out to be another incredible talent from Schalke. The 20-year-old made 41 appearances for the Ruhr club last season and proved what an invaluable asset he was for the club by scoring 6 goals and assisting a further 10 more.
Meyer is best utilised as an attacking midfielder where his pace, dribbling and control of the ball come in handy especially when you're trying to open up the final third with a clever ball defenders can't get to.
Ever since Julian Draxler left the club, Meyer has the taken the responsibilities of becoming the major creator in the team and this season is just the right time for him to showcase all what he's made up of. He guided his Germany U21 side to the finals of the Rio Olympics and now can finally take Schalke up the table – a place where they rightly belong.
Leon Goretzka
Another central midfielder. Another Schalke player. Another creator. Leon Goretzka signed for the Ruhr club around three years from VfL Bochum and has been used by the club as a central defensive midfielder judiciously.
The 21-year-old had his taste of full-fledged Bundesliga season last time around where he made 34 appearances. Mainly the 'destroyer' in the team, Goretzka impresses most when he's stolen the ball and is looking for a forward pass. His ability to pick out a pass from deep in uncanny for someone in his position.
He's got the height, the strength and the legs to make it big soon enough. At Schalke, he's already one of the main players in the squad, he'll soon develop to make it his own even though they've brought in Benjamin Stambouli and Nabil Bentaleb.
Maximilian Arnold
Maximilian Arnold possibly had a torrid summer transfer window. When Julian Draxler was linked with a move to Paris Saint-Germain and Arsenal, Arnold would've secretly hoped it happened. Having not made too many appearances for the club at the beginning of last season, he soon caught on and has so far lived up to his hype.
Wolfsburg's youngest debutant, their youngest goal-scorer and their youngest player to be sent off finally has the season he was expecting for a long long time. Now 22, Arnold is showing on a regular basis what a player he can be for Dieter Hecking.
He made 44 appearances for the club last season – almost a mainstay November onwards – and scored 4 goals as well as assisting a further 2 more. Not extremely bright figures for someone who plays in the attacking midfield role but given how Wolfsburg were set up last season, he spent most of his time slightly deeper and left the creation to Draxler and co.
Julian Brandt
Now that Leroy Sane has left the Bundesliga, Julian Brandt is easily the most explosive youngster in the league. Mainly a player who thrives playing on the left wing, Brandt loves cutting in and scoring worldies – tries it every match.
The 20-year-old was incredible for Bayer Leverkusen last season scoring 10 goals and assisting a further 8 more – impressive figures for someone who is usually down the pecking order at a club as big as his but whenever he's on the pitch, is able to link up well with his teammates and attack on a non-stop basis.
I'm a little surprised no one went for Brandt this summer transfer window. Yes, Sane was an obvious choice, but Brandt is only going to get better. He's got the kind of mentality you'd want a youngster to have in your team. He goes for the kill and when down, is usually the kind of player who could instigate a comeback.
By the next few transfer windows, Brandt would definitely have moved to a bigger club or have made the position of left wing solely his at Leverkusen. He's improving drastically, and is possibly one of the best youngsters in world football.
Jonathan Tah
If you regularly follow the Bundesliga, you'll know what a pain in the bottom Jonathan Tah can be. The 20-year-old defender has the composure, strength and the leadership qualities of a seasoned 30-year-old.
He's already made one of the two centre-back positions his at Leverkusen and is in no mood to make way for anyone else. Having made 45 appearances for the club last season around – and with over 4000 minutes of on-field experience – Tah is attracting interest from a host of European giants.
Yes, he's still got a lot to learn but for someone so young to make it big at a club so large, is a testament in itself to how much he's valued and how well a player he can be. The future is his and he's bound to take it on by the scuff of its neck.
Timo Werner
It's been a while since Germany produced a striker capable of playing in the highest of standards. Timo Werner might finally be the one the country has been looking for. Having joined new boys RB Leipzig this season from Stuttgart, Werner is already becoming someone who could lead his national team in the years to come.
7 goals and 5 assists with a relegated Stuttgart was an achievement for Werner knowing very well that he could do a lot lot better in a team that created more chances for him to finish. He's got pace, he's got the height and he has the confidence to score from anywhere inside the box, what more could you ask for in a striker?
This season, Werner has the opportunity to shine with a new team and with one who have a host of attacking midfielders and wingers. A lot will be expected of him this season and judging by how he carried his former team a lot last year, he could very well pass with flying colours.
