One would think soccer in Europe is over after the top leagues have ended, but that’s not true. The 2017 Confederations Cup will start in only a few weeks.
This tournament is the trial scenario in terms of safety and logistics for the 2018 World Cup. However, that’s not its only function. It also represents the chance to see some of the best national teams in the world going against each other. and New Zealand going toe-to-toe to win the trophy.
Once the ball starts rolling, we’ll see Germany, Russia, Portugal, Australia, New Zealand, Chile, Cameroon and Mexico fighting to lift the trophy. And while Chile, Portugal and Mexico have title chances, there’s no question the main favorites are Germany. And even though the coaching staff announced an alternative squad, they still are the better team. It only takes a second to realize how talented and deep Die Mannschaft is.
The reigning World Cup winners won’t have several important players for this tournament. Manuel Neuer, Mats Hummels, Sami Khedira, Mario Gotze, and Marco Reus are some of the names that declined the invitation. But that didn’t stop Joachim Low from taking an ultra competitive side.
Among the players that will represent Germany in the tournament, we can find Marc-Andre Ter Stegen between the posts. Despite some shaky performances in LaLiga with FC Barcelona, no one can deny he’s a talented goalkeeper full of potential. And if nothing strange happens in the future, he should be Neuer’s successor in the coming years.
The defensive line features several young players, but the names of Shkodran Mustafi and Niklas Sule stand out. While the former was one of Arsenal’s most consistent players this past season, the latter already signed a contract with Bayern Munich. Sule is considered one of the top defenders in Europe, and several scouts have said the sky is the limit for him.
The midfield zone features creativity and grit. Julian Draxler and Leon Goretzka will put magic in that area of the field, while Emre Can will annull opposing playmakers. All three are relatively young, and this tournament will represent a big chance for them to take a step closer to Russia 2018.
The attacking area lacks a proven goalscorer, but Timo Werner is an interesting name to watch. The RB Leipzig striker scored an impressive 21 goals in the Bundesliga this past season as a 21-year-old. Another player to keep an eye on is Leroy Sane, Manchester City’s youngster who already adapted to the pace of the English Premier League. Both should form a dangerous duo upfront.
Germany might not have the same talented team that won the World Cup in Brazil three years ago. But that doesn’t matter. In a short tournament that only features eight teams, there’s no question they can be the favorites. They have the depth, the talent, the experience, and the desire to put Germany back on top. After all, that’s the place where they have always been.