With just two Bundesliga games remaining, every team but Bayern Munich and Darmstadt have something to play for, be it a place in next season’s European competitions or fighting against relegation.
Bayern Munich may have clinched their fifth consecutive Bundesliga title, but what has happened below them on the table is nothing but extraordinary. In RB Leipzig’s first season in the top flight, they’ve now qualified for the Champions League, whilst we see many of Germany’s past giants such as Bayer Leverkusen and Schalke down at the bottom end.
TSG 1899 Hoffenheim under Julian Nagelsmann has provided a breath of fresh air as they remain the only unbeaten side at home this season. Once again, Hamburger SV occupy the relegation play-off, but with just seven points separating Ingolstadt in 17th and Bayer Leverkusen in 12th, anything could happen.
Once against Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Robert Lewandowski went head-to-head to finish at the top of the scoring charts. Cologne’s Anthony Modeste, however, has battled them all the way with 25 goals in 32 games.
With that being said, here is a list of the top ten players in the Bundesliga this term in no specific order.
#10 Jonas Hector
Mr. Consistent has missed just six league games for Cologne since they were promoted back to the Bundesliga in 2014. Now, he’s become one of Germany’s most reliable players. Although a left-back by trade, Hector has shown his versatility and the ability to play in centre-midfield – where he’s played much of the 2016/17 season for Cologne.
His ever-improving performances in the Bundesliga has attracted the attention of Liverpool and Manchester City in the past, whilst it’s likely Europe’s top clubs will come calling once against in the summer.,whether Cologne finish in a European place could determine the outcome of his future.
#9 Lars Stindl
The only Borussia Mönchengladbach player on this list, Lars Stindl is Dieter Hecking’s most important player and arguably the first name on the teamsheet when fit. His 11 goals this season is his best to date as his importance can be gauged by the fact that Gladbach have lost just two games when he’s either scored or assisted. There’s no doubting that when he’s on the pitch, die Fohlen look a much more complete side.
Going forward, Stindl could offer Joachim Löw something different in the national team with the retiring Lukas Podolski. At 28-years-old, Stindl is now entering the prime of his career. Playing predominantly as a support striker, Stindl’s late runs into the box cause the some of the Bundesliga’s best defences problems.
#8 Kerem Demirbay
There’s no doubting Kerim Demirbay has had a troubled past and making sexist remarks, he was made to referee a girls’ football match which also resulted in a five-match ban. Fast-forward a couple of years, and he’s one of the brightest attacking midfielders in the Bundesliga today.
Signing for Hoffenheim from Fortuna Dusseldorf last summer, the 23-year-old has six goals and seven assists to his name, which has undoubtedly helped his side to qualify for the Champions League next season.
#7 Naby Keita
Like Forsberg, Naby Keita is one of RB Leipzig’s most influential players, which is why they broke their transfer record to sign him from RB Salzburg. His ability to keep the ball ticking over and to make things happen from midfield makes him one of Europe’s most wanted midfielders with eight goals and seven assists.
RB Leipzig’s high-pressure football does take its toll on the team. The Guinea international lost consciousness after their 1-0 loss to Wolfsburg which may have been brought on by exertion. With very few weaknesses, Keita could play for any top European club.
#6 Ousmane Dembele
Had you asked Borussia Dortmund fans how well Ousmane Dembele would do in his first season in Germany, it’s unlikely they’d name the now France international as one of their best players. An injury to Marco Reus no doubt awarded the 19-year-old more time on the pitch, but six goals and 11 assists later makes it evident why he’s such a talent.
Thomas Tuchel has certainly coached the youngster well, whilst Dembele has remained level-headed, improving week in, week out in a young Dortmund squad.
#5 Timo Werner
Arriving from VfB Stuttgart for €10 million, Timo Werner could have been a gamble after scoring just 14 goals in 103 appearances, but it’s one that has certainly paid off. Like Keita, this is Werner’s debut season for RB Leipzig.
His 19 Bundesliga goals make him the highest scoring German in the league, whilst he was awarded his national team debut by Löw against England in March.
#4 Anthony Modeste
Labelled a Blackburn Rovers failure, Anthony Modeste has shown in the past four seasons that he does have what it takes to succeed in Europe’s top leagues. Since his move from Bastia to Hoffenheim in 2013, the Frenchman has scored 59 Bundesliga goals in 121 games, whilst the 2016/17 season is proving his best to date.
Cologne may have scored just 47 goals all season, but Modeste’s tally of 25 in 32 league games has seen his side challenge for a place in next season’s Europa League. Take Modeste out of the Cologne team and you can see just how important he is to the squad, as they look to play in Europe for the first time since 1997 when they featured in the Intertoto Cup.
#3 Emil Forsberg
It’s only right to include Emil Forsberg in this list given his 16 assists in his debut Bundesliga season is the best number anyone has boasted this campaign. This, of course, was one of the main reasons behind RB Leipzig’s title challenge that lasted till February.
Still, finishing runners-up to Bayern Munich in their first ever season in the top flight is no less than exceptional. The understanding with Timo Werner, Yussuf Poulsen and Marcel Sabitzer has made RB one of the Bundesliga’s most exciting teams this season.
Jürgen Klopp is interested in bringing the Sweden international to Liverpool in summer, but with eight goals to go with his 16 assists, he won’t come cheap. Forsberg is perhaps the most exciting player in the league this campaign.
#2 Thiago Alcantara
In Pep Guardiola’s three years in charge of Bayern Munich, Thiago Alcantara played just 50 Bundesliga fixtures, whilst in just one year under Ancelotti, he’s already at half that. There is no doubt injuries have played their past in his career at the SabnerStraße, but now he’s finally playing the best football of his career, which sees him as one of the best in Europe.
With five goals and five assists in the Bundesliga this season, the 2016/17 campaign has seen Thiago play the most minutes of his career. Known for his passing ability, the 26-year-old has shown this season that he is an all-round midfielder, making 4.6 interceptions per game – the most of any player in the league.
#1 Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang
There’s no doubt that Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang is one of the hottest strikers in modern day football. Sitting atop the goalscoring charts with 28 goals, the Gabon international has created an exceptional understanding with Borussia Dortmund’s Ousmane Dembele. Like Modeste, Aubameyang is enjoying his best season to date. His goals have largely contributed to Dortmund’s overall tally of 67 helping them qualify for the Champions League once again.
With Paris Saint-Germain and Real Madrid interested, it’s difficult to say as to whether he’ll be playing football in Dortmund next season, whilst the club must fight to keep hold of him.
