Dream Team Euros: Germany’s top stars, bargain options & players to avoid

IT wasn’t that long ago that German fans were largely pessimistic about their side’s hopes at Euro 2024.

A series of disappointing results led to the dismissal of Hansi Flick and debate raged about Die Mannschaft’s best XI.

However, consecutive wins over France and Netherlands in March, coupled with the return of Toni Kroos and the eye-catching form of some of their younger talents, have boosted morale considerably.

Naturally, Dream Team Euros managers will be keen on Germany, now under the guidance of Julian Nagelsmann, so let’s analyse their top stars, bargain options, and players to avoid.

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TOP STARS

Much of the hosts’ hopes rest on the young shoulders of Jamal Musiala (£4.5m) and Florian Wirtz (£4.5m).

The former is one of the most natural dribblers in world football, a gift that should earn him a few bonus points, while the latter is coming off the back of a hugely successful campaign with Bayer Leverkusen.

Wirtz registered 18 goals and 20 assists as Xabi Alonso’s side suffered just one defeat in all competitions.

Joshua Kimmich (£5m) is the joint-most expensive defender in the game; a reflection of his dual purpose.

The 29-year-old will be hopeful of clean sheets in Group A, where Germany are joined by Scotland, Hungary and Swizterland, but he’s also got the quality to contribute in attack – he’s played more than enough times in midfield throughout his career.

A fantastic crosser of the ball, Kimmich registered ten assists for Bayern Munich in 2023/24.

Up top, Kai Havertz (£4.5m) is most likely to lead the line and he’ll be hoping to carry over the form he exhibited for Arsenal during the final third of the domestic campaign.

Mikel Arteta started using him as a false nine and, as a result, Havertz scored nine goals and provided six assists in his last 14 outings for the Gunners.

BARGAIN OPTIONS

Outright bargains are generally found among the less fancied teams but that doesn’t mean savvy gaffers can’t find decent value for money among the German ranks.

Maximilian Mittelstadt (£3.5m) has just three senior caps to his name but he’s expected to start at left-back after an impressive season with Stuttgart.

The 27-year-old took his chance in those morale-boosting wins back in March, he even scored against the Netherlands.

Starting defenders among the tournament’s bigger teams generally cost more than £3.5m so Dream Team bosses looking to save some cash at the back could take advantage of Mittelstadt’s price.

Toni Kroos (£3.5m) is a class act and likely to be the man pulling the strings in midfield but whether his understated style will lead to many points is difficult to predict.

Truth be told, it’s probably worth finding some extra budget for one of his more attack-minded team-mates.

PLAYERS TO AVOID

As previously mentioned, Havertz is thought to be the first-choice centre-forward from the get-go which means Niclas Fullkrug (£4m) will have to be content as an impact substitute, at least initially.

The tall target man has an excellent record at international level having scored 11 goals in 15 appearances to date but his domestic form for Borussia Dortmund tailed off at the back end of the season – though he did produce some good performances in the Champions League knockout stages.

Similarly, Thomas Muller (£4m) is generally limited to cameo performances these days.

The experienced ‘Raumdeuter’ was a tournament specialist in his younger years but he’s only completed 90 minutes for Germany twice since Euro 2020.

At the time of writing, Marc-Andre ter Stegen (£4m) is the joint-tenth most selected goalkeeper in Dream Team Euros but he’s likely to play second fiddle to Manuel Neuer (£4.5m).

Backing a reserve keeper is a bad enough as it is but selecting one that costs £4m is a potential disaster.

Lastly, Leroy Sane (£5.5m) owners should tread carefully as he’s far from a guaranteed starter.

The Bayern Munich winger’s price is a reflection of his talent but he’ll only be viable if he’s assured of minutes – gaffers might want to wait until Matchday 1 has played out before making a decision on him.

Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk