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Die Mannschaft have finally announced a provisional squad for the FIFA World Cup 2018, and there are quite a few surprises in the 27 man squad. The squad consists of 18 players from the Bundesliga, 2 from La Liga, 4 from the EPL, 2 from Ligue 1 and 1 from Serie A.
Joachim Löw has opted to go for form over sentiment, as both Mario Götze and Andre Schürrle - the two men who combined to score the solitary winner in the final of the 2014 World Cup - have been left out.
The final squad will only consist of 23 players however, meaning that 4 names from this list will be axed.
Goalkeepers
Manuel Neuer's fitness will be Germany's biggest question to answer ahead of the World Cup, but in case he is fit, there is no question as to who will don the No. 1 jersey for the defending champions.
Marc-Andre ter Stegen is on the back of a tremendous season for Barcelona, and will be an almost equally good replacement in goal - that is saying a lot when the keeper you are replacing is Manuel Neuer.
While most fans will be content with MATS starting, Neuer is more critical to the core of the team as captain, and that will play a major role in the decision. The friendlies before the start of the WC will give a more clear picture of who the German keeper will be, and until then it should be assumed that it will be Neuer.
The surprise inclusion is definitely Kevin Trapp. The 27-year-old has played only 4 matches in the league with PSG and has been far away from the action for most of the season. While choices like Karius (Liverpool) or Fährmann (Schalke 04) might have been a more logical choice, the third goalkeeper in a squad is often never utilised during the tournament.
In such a case, it is understandable that Löw decided to go with someone with experience rather than a new face in the squad. When the 23 man squad is announced, it is expected that Trapp will be cut and that Bernd Leno goes as the 3rd keeper.
Bayer Leverkusen's Leno has had a quietly excellent season in goal, keeping 10 clean sheets in 33 appearances for the side and helping them finish in the 5th place.
Defenders
Not a lot of questionable selections here, as Germany's stability at the back has always been notable. The absence of Philipp Lahm at right-back and as captain will be a sight sorely missed, but this is still a back 4 that is capable of holding their own against any attack in the tournament.
The probable players starting will be Jonas Hector at left back, Mats Hummels and Jerome Boateng partnering as centre-backs, and Joshua Kimmich slotting in at right-back. Boateng and Hummels form the backbone of Bayern's defence as well, and their chemistry will be vital to the team.
Mats Hummels has been in excellent form in the Bundesliga, appearing in 26 games for the German champions at 2.4 tackles, 2.1 interceptions and 2.2 clearances per game. Jerome Boateng has featured in 19 games, garnering 1.4 tackles and 2.6 clearances per game.
The real deal, however, is the right back - Joshua Kimmich. Replacing the enormous boots of Philipp Lahm in both Bayern Munich as well as the national team, the youngster has more than settled into the role.
While his defensive duties are not as robust as his counterparts, he is the main engine that facilitates the transition from defence to attack. Functioning more as a wing-back than a fullback, he often finds his way into the opposition box and is an essential part of the attack - as exhibited by his 6 goals and 13 assists across all competitions for Bayern.
Niklas Süle, who is also the centre-back who helps with the rotation at Bayern, finds his way into the squad as back-up. At 2 clearances and 1.3 tackles per game, and a frame that aids aerial defending, he is more than capable of serving as an adequate asset from the bench.
Bayer Leverkusen's Jonathan Tah has had a fantastic season as well, with the stats to back it up - 3.9 clearances and 1.7 tackles per game in 28 appearances. However, the 22-year-old centre back might be the one to get axed when the squad gets trimmed, owing to the abundance of central defenders.
Antonio Rüdiger might look a little weak, but barring the occasional wrong footing, he has been solid at the back for Chelsea and will make for an able back-up. Chelsea have kept a clean sheet in 13 of the 27 matches he has appeared in the league, with 3.7 clearances and 1.1 tackles per game.
Marvin Plattenhardt, Hertha Berlin's 26 year old left back is an exciting name on the list (33 appearances in the league with 1.7 tackles and 2.2 clearances per game), and will be unlucky to fight alongside Koln's Jonas Hector (20 appearances with 2.4 tackles and 2.5 clearances per game) for the starting spot.
Despite being a part of relegated Koln, Hector has caught numerous eyes with his defensive acumen and positional awareness. Boasting an impressive 2.4 clearances and 2.3 tackles per game, he will make up for Kimmich's interest to move ahead by covering the space.
Borussia Mönchengladbach's Matthias Ginter makes up the final name on the roster. His ability to play on the right as well as the centre makes him a valuable addition to the squad, just in case Kimmich needs a rest. He also has the occasional goal in him, and Loew will make use of him from the bench when required.
Midfielders/Forwards
Controversial as it maybe, Germany have a line-up more stacked than when they won the last edition. Despite the absence of some big names up front, the creativity they possess in midfield will more than make up for it.
The players expected to start are Timo Werner up front as the sole striker, Mesut Özil as the central attacking midfielder with Marco Reus and Thomas Müller down the wings, Toni Kroos playing as the creative midfielder from the back and one of Ilkay Gündogan or Sami Khedira partnering him as the workhorse in midfield.
Leroy Sané will be really unlucky to not be part of the starting XI after his phenomenal season at Manchester City, but he will have to serve it out from the bench when Reus is fully fit. Not to jinx things here, but Reus absolutely deserves to start in the World Cup after the disappointment last season.
Back from yet another injury, Reus seems to be back to his usual self and will play a key part if Germany are to defend their title in Russia. His partnership with the other attackers in the national team is excellent, and his 7 goals in just 11 games for Borussia Dortmund is a sign of just how good he is.
Özil has not had the best of seasons with Arsenal, but he is an entirely different player when playing for Germany. He will be the architect that Germany will count on, and his long balls to Werner will be effective when playing against teams that want to sit back and defend.
After a shaky start to the season, Müller has really come into the zone in time for the World Cup, and will be looking to become the player with the most goals in the WC. With 16 goals and 16 assists across all competitions, the possibility becomes greater with each passing moment.
After setting the world on fire last season, Werner has continued his success with RB Leipzig, notching up 22 goals and 9 assists across all competitions. He will be the solitary striker up top for them, and it is something he is used to. With Reus and Müller crossing from the wings, all Werner will have to do is to be at the right place at the right time.
With Toni Kroos all but certain of starting, it will be a toss-up between Gündogan and Khedira for the other midfielder. It will come down to the opponent they are facing - with Khedira's industriousness against Gündogan's creativity. Both have had fantastic seasons as part of title-winning squads and not a lot separates the two.
Julian Draxler (5 goals and 6 assists) and Leon Gorerzka (6 goals and 2 assists) are two more players nominated, but the chances of them being part of the starting XI look bleak. Draxler will serve as a super-sub against tired legs, and Goretzka will be covering for Müller from the right.
Both are very young, and are certain to be part of Germany's future World Cup campaigns. This will serve as an experimental outing for them, and they can soak in all the experience without any of the pressure.
Mario Gomez will serve as the back-up striker, and the team will benefit from his overall experience. Nils Petersen is the surprise inclusion here, but the 29-year-old has 15 goals and 1 assist in the Bundesliga this season, and fully deserved the call-up to the provisional squad. Unfortunately, one of these two will probably stay home.
Another player that might not be going to Russia is Julian Brandt, as the others are highly rated by their coach and Brandt seems to be the most expendable of the nominees. A case can be made for Sebastian Rudy, but he is capable of playing at almost any position and considering Löw loves his multidimensional assets, Rudy is bound to be on the plane.
