FORWARDS

 

TIMO WERNER
Age: 22 Caps: 17

Three games, seven shots, zero goals. Like an adolescent taking their first sip of beer, Werner’s first try of the World Cup was overly bitter and pretty unpleasant. But try it again, lad, and you’ll get a taste for it.

His excellent tally of 42 goals over the last two seasons show there's no need to change barrels. He’s the right player at the wrong time for Germany. With better supply, and better luck, he’ll untap his club form and the goals will flow. In 2022, it’s Timo time.

Verdict: In

MARCO REUS
Age: 29 Caps: 34

Reus' World Cup story is a sad one. He missed the squad 2010 and watched from home as other fresh faces of his generation, Khedira, Ozil and Thomas Muller, thrilled in South Africa. He was at the peak of his powers in the run-up to Brazil 2014 only to suffer ankle damage in Germany's final warm-up match and miss the tournament again, as his teammates surged to glory.

Another injury kept him out of UEFA Euro 2016, and he's struggled to return to his early-career form since then. He's 29 and in decline. A shot at redemption in Qatar looks beyond him.

Verdict: Out

THOMAS MULLER
Age: 28 Caps: 94

Is it… is it over? It might be over. After all, the next time Germany play, against Peru in mid-September, Muller's international goal drought will have extended to 18 months. It’s understandable - he’s been at it for nine years. That’s a long time for even the sharpest snipers in history to keep their instincts intact. He's not done at this point, of course not. But in four years' time?

What Muller had - a knack for popping up in the right place, at the right time, and being clinical - it seems he no longer has, certainly not to the same degree. As players age, their attributes change and some flourish in a different role - look at David Silva, or Ashley Young. On the evidence of his displays in Russia, Muller, too, needs to find a new jam.

What Germany have, meanwhile, in Brandt, Draxler, Sane and Serge Gnabry, is an overflowing pool of attacking talent keen to pinch his position on the right wing.

Verdict: Out

MARIO GOMEZ
Age: 32 Caps: 78

Gomez turns 33 on Tuesday. His 31 goals from 78 caps is a very respectable return, having made his World Cup debut as a substitute against Australia in South Africa in 2010, every appearance he's made in the tournament since has been from off the bench, too.

He had the chance to make a decisive impact in Germany's final game but miscued a six-yard tap-in, and now he’s all out of lives. Game over, Mario.

Verdict: Out

HEAD COACH

 

JOACHIM LOW

The German FA (DFB) had already offered their public support to Low before Germany's third and final Group F match, saying the 58-year-old was their man regardless of whether the team made the knockout stages or not.

"I feel, in spite of the legitimate criticism of our departure, generally much support and encouragement," said Low yesterday, confirming his continuity.

"But now I want to design the rebuilding with full commitment, in time for the start of the new international season in September."

It was only in May that he penned a contract extension to stay on until the end of the 2022 World Cup. Unless something drastic happens - say, they crash and burn in humiliating circumstances at Euro 2020 - he'll see it through. His revolutionary impact on the international team over his 12 years in the role has earned him that.

Verdict: In