MIDFIELDERS

 

SAMI KHEDIRA
Age: 31 Caps: 77

He was too slow, too conservative and far, far too passive in Russia. That Germany were eliminated wasn't down to Khedira by any means, but he was symptomatic of the reasons they failed to live up to expectations.

Verdict: Out

JULIAN DRAXLER
Age: 24 Caps: 46

Draxler is still fresh-faced, but although he managed to rack up more games for PSG in his second season than he did in his first, the feeling remains that he might need a change of scene to maintain his upward curve.

If this is his peak, though, it's enough to keep him well-involved in the Germany set-up. He is still yet to cement his place in the side, but he captained Die Mannshaft's second string at last year's Confederations Cup and was named Player of the Tournament.

Verdict: In

TONI KROOS
Age: 28 Caps: 86

Kroos remans a class act. Germany's defeat to Mexico, which got them off on the wrong foot, wasn't down to a lack of trying or quality on his part. His winning free-kick against Sweden demonstrated the vital contribution he's capable of.

Verdict: In

MESUT OZIL
Age: 29 Caps: 92

How much flak is one man prepared to take? Much ire was directed at Ozil after Germany's exit to South Korea - a match in which he created a tournament-high seven goalscoring chances for his teammates from open play.

The World Cup had served Ozil well up until last week. In the wake of a superb tournament in 2010 he earned a move to Real Madrid. In 2014 he lifted the trophy.

He'll shudder at the memories of 2018 - his third and, probably, final tournament. Much of the love of the fans who voted him the national team's Player of the Year in 2011, 2012, 2013, 2015 and 2016 has faded away. As he enters his thirties, he'll also need to protect himself physically to prolong his career. If he doesn't call it quits at international level before Euro 2020, it's likely he will do afterwards.

Verdict: Out

LEON GORETZKA
Age: 23 Caps: 16

This tournament came a year too soon for Goretzka. Next season, he'll be playing in the red of Bayern Munich, strengthening his on-field chemistry with their stockpile of national team players. We'll see much more from him at Euro 2020.

Verdict: In

SEBASTIAN RUDY
Age: 28 Caps: 26

Rudy's first World Cup proved to be painful in more ways than one. He was tossed in to start in Germany's second game against Sweden, taking Khedira's place, but lasted only half an hour after Ola Toivonen inadvertently booted him in the face and broke his nose.

He's a fringe player at international level, and there are younger options such as Emre Can and Julian Weigl hovering around the scene.

Verdict: Out

JULIAN BRANDT
Age: 22 Caps: 19

The Bayer Leverkusen livewire was a controversial inclusion in the squad over Leroy Sane, but his impressive off-the-bench cameos justified his selection. Brandt is Die Werkself's most valuable player, and he'll be in his prime in 2022.

Verdict: In

ILKAY GUNDOGAN
Age: 27 Caps: 27

Assuming this injury ordeal that so hampered his first season at Manchester City is well behind him, Gundogan should be able to re-establish himself at international level.

His second season at the Etihad Stadium will shine a greater light on his chances. When he did feature for Pep Guardiola's side in 2017/18, he demonstrated his talents as a neat and intelligent midfielder with great all-round attributes.

Verdict: In