|
|
|
If you read through this list you will surely notice that some prominent youngsters are missing. This has various reasons. Some of them already got their breakthrough and are not regarded as talents anymore at home. The other players are simply too “old” because its been my aim to mention only players that have turned 21 just recently or even better are still of younger age.
So players like Deisler (Hertha BSC), Ballack (Leverkusen), Hertzsch (HSV), Ketelear (HSV) or Enke (Benfika) won`t be mentioned on this site for the year 2000 youth edition.
Name: Hildebrand, Timo
Current Club: VFB Stuttgart (Bundesliga)
Position: Goalkeeper
DOB: 05/04/1979
Previous Clubs: VFB Stuttgart Amateure (second team-third division), VFB Youth
Comment: Absolute number one and a key figure in his team. Forced his way in the starting line-up at the end of last season against Austrian goalkeeper legend Franz Wohlfahrt. Never shows any nerves during the match, not the tallest one but a brave jumper. Safe pair of hands and even at this young age he is seen as leading player. His good league and international performances did already catch the eye of Sir Alex Ferguson, the Man Utd manager. Former U-16, U-17, U-18 International. U-21 International.
Name: Metzelder, Christoph
Current Club: Borussia Dortmund
Position: Defender
DOB: 05/11/1980
Previous Clubs: Preußen Muenster (3rd division)
Comment: Since his arrival in an off-season transfer from third division side Muenster he did impress his coach Matthias Sammer with some great displays. Tall and very fast defender with a good ball control, he has already established himself in the first team. His excellent technique prevents him from causing to much fouls on the field. Relatively unknown before his transfer to BVB - he did never appear in any youth national team. Currently playing for German U-21 side but has already been linked with “Nationalmannschaft”. Seen as capable succesor to Juergen Kohler.
Name: Timm, Christian
Current Club: 1. FC Cologne
Position: Midfielder/Striker
DOB: 27/02/1979
Previous Clubs: Borussia Dortmund
Comment: Came to prominence at the age of only 17 showing some respectable displays at a Dortmund league champion side then, but chose to change club to gain more experience and became a key figure in the Cologne side that gained promotion to Bundesliga last season. Highspeed attacker with a reagardable technique and great finishing qualities. Still regular starter this season, he did score some important goals since the beginning of this season. A fine character who will surely appear in the “Nationalmannschaft” someday.
Name: Asamoah, Charles
Current Club: FC Schalke 04
Position: Striker
DOB: 03/10/1978
Previous Clubs: Hannover 96 (second division)
Comment: Powerful, quick young striker with an extraordinary technique. His displays often remind of former Leeds striker Anthony Yeboah. He was born in Ghana, but grew up in Germany. Holds german passport and has already turned down offers to play for Ghana national team in order to be available for “Nationalmannschaft”. Had a dream start in his first two senior years at former club Hannover. Also been a big impact starting his first season at Schalke last year. Suffered a heavy setback when heartproblems nearly forced his retirement last year. Has sorted out this but since the arrival of Emile Mpenza midway through last season is struggling to regain his place in starting line-up. Nevertheless he is still seen as the man to watch in the future. Turned down offers from Champions league side Hamburg in order to fight for his place at Schalke.
Name: Willi, Tobias
Current Club: SC Freiburg
Position: Midfielder/Winger
DOB: 14/12/1979
Previous Clubs: SCF youth teams
Comment: The current U-21 player has been a regular starter ever since his arrival at SC Freiburg senior team. He appeared in 31 league games last season missing only one through injury. His great technique and good ball control fits very well in Freiburg`s techniquel side. FC Bayern Munich coach Ottmar Hitzfeld is a big admirer of this quick young lad and German top club already tried to sign him several times. A transfer to the Bavarian outfit is surely only a matter of time.
Name: Zepek, Michael
Current Club: Karlsruher SC (third division)
Position: Defender
DOB: 19/01/1981
Previous Clubs: KSC amateurs (third division then), KSC youth
Comment: Besides Metzelder, young Zepek is seen as the greatest defensive talent in german football. Chief player with consistent performances in the relegated KSC side last year. He turned down offers from several big clubs like Munich, Leverkusen and even Lazio Roma to help his club KSC to gain promotion. Appeared in every possible youth national team and captained most of them. Has been the captain of the U-19 side that finished second in the last european tournament.
Name: Kehl, Sebastian
Current Club: SC Freiburg
Position: Midfielder
DOB: 13/02/80
Previous Clubs: Hannover 96, Borussia Fulda (youth)
Comment: Sebastian Kehl joined SC Freiburg at the start of the current season and has been an important player ever since. The versatile midfielder always shows great endurence while being on the pitch and is big fighter. Even at his young age he keeps one of the most important positions in Freiburg`s very offensive system. He is the connection between the defence and the offensive midfield. Current U-21 player Kehl has already been linked with a move to Champions league outfit Bayer Leverkusen. Can call a good ball-controling his own.
Name: Bierofka, Daniel
Current Club: 1860 Munich
Postion: Midfielder/Winger
DOB: 07/02/79
Previous Clubs: FC Bayern Munich Amateurs (Third division) and Youth
Comment: Joined the “Lions” at the start of this season and had a so called dream start becoming an starter even from the first match on. Very fast winger with the abillity for great crossing balls. He appeared in every single match for his club this season. Decided to leave Bayern Munich at the end of last season to gain more match experience on a higher level. A regular scorer in Bayern`s second team last season his former club holds an option to get him back one day. Member of the current U-21 outfit he went through all German youth national teams.
Name: Ernst, Fabian
Current Club: Werder Bremen
Position: Defender/Midfielder
DOB: 30/05/79
Previous Clubs: Hamburger SV, Hannover 96 (second division)
Comment: Two years ago he was voted best German youth talent ahead of Hetha star Sebastian Deisler. Had an miserable last season at Hamburg spending most of the time on the bench for tactical reasons. His very self-confident displays often reminds of the great German football legend Franz Beckenbauer. A strong shoot, a good and very elegant looking technique compared with a good view for the game are his major credits. Had been a regular starter in his first Bundesliga season two years ago he now is on his way back to former status again, this time at Werder Bremen. Captain of U-21 team.
Name: Wessels, Stefan
Current Club: FC Bayern Munich
Position: Goalkeeper
DOB: 28/02/79
Previous Clubs: None
Comment: Another young lad who seems to keep the German tradition for great goalies alive. Came to prominece last season while replacing the injured Oliver Kahn in the Champions league clash at Glasgow against the Rangers. Ensured the important win with some great saves. Besides great reflections he is very strong in one-on-one situations. Generally he plays for the second team (Third division) but perhaps will have to change clubs to be able to show his talent on a higher level because for the next years there`ll be no chance for him to get past the current number one in team, Oliver Kahn.
Name: Tiffert, Christian
Current Club: VFB Stuttgart
Position: Striker
DOB: 18/02/82
Previous Clubs: Tennis Borussia Berlin, Hallerscher FC
Comment: Very promising young striker. Lightning fast, with great finishing abilities he came to prominence last year scoring some vital goals for then struggling second division side TB Berlin. Had been a target of nearly all Bundesliga clubs after his side was forced to go down due to financial problems. Currently playing for a succesfull VFB amateurs (third Divisions) to get used to Stuttgart`s tactical system he even made his marks in the first team outfit. Member and permanent scorer of the succesful U-19 side.
Name: Pröll, Markus
Current Club: 1. FC Köln
Position: Goalkeeper
DOB: 28/08/79
Previous Clubs: None
Comment: Even at only twenty-one he is the number one choice between the posts for a second successive season, his first now in the Bundesliga. Played a deciding role in Cologne`s battle for promtion last year. Seems to be the legal successor to former Cologne goalkeeping heros Toni Schumacher and Bodo Illgner. Not acting as elegant as Stuttgart`s Hildebrand he knows how to use his “strudge” body. Very consistent in his performing.
Name: Di Salvo, Antonio
Current Club: FC Bayern Munich
Position: Striker
DOB: 05/06/1979
Previous Clubs: SC Paderborn (amateur division)
Comment: Very fast, agile striker with great dribbling abilities and a fine finishing touch he joined the bavarian outfit during last seasons winterbreak from amateur side SC Padaborn. Has earned many compliments for his perfomances ever since. Best scorer in FC Bayern`s second team (third division). Already appeared three times in the first team this season. Has the potential to build together with young Paraguayan star Roque Santa Cruz, Bayern Munich`s upcoming striking force. The future at this club belongs to him.
Name: Krontiris, Emmanuel
Current Club: Borussia Dortmund
Position: Striker
DOB: 11/02/83
Previous Clubs: Tennis Borussia Berlin (third division)
Comment: The youngest player to appear on the pitch in this Bundesliga season so far. A born striker with a great finishing touch he started this season at third division side TB Berlin. His great performances catched the eye of Dortmund coach Matthias Sammer and he became a member of the Dortmund squad. Showed his potential immediately, scoring twice in his first appearance for the second team (third division) and was awarded by his coach coming in as a substitute in Dortmund`s match against Kaiserslautern. Being still able to play at youth level this young striker is now a member of the first team outfit and the headlines will be on his side very soon. Member and regular starter of the German U-18 and U-19 outfit.
Name: Hitzelsperger, Tommy
Current Club: Aston Villa
Position: Midfielder
DOB: 05/04/82
Previous Clubs: FC Bayern Munich youth team
Comment: Captain of the U-18 outfit he had been the target of several European clubs during this summers transfer period. Finally decided to leave Bayern Munich and joined John Gregory`s Premiership side. Defensive midfielder with the ability to control a game. Currently making his way through Aston Villa reserve team.
Name: Volz, Markus
Current Club: Arsenal London
Position: Defender/Midfielder
DOB: 21/01/83
Previous Clubs: Fc Schalke 04 youth team
Comments: Joined the Arsenal outfit in the summer of 1999. Regular for Arsenal`s U-19 side. His powerful and pacy game earned him a squad number in Arsene Wenger`s Champions league side last year. Playing in various postions his versatility makes him a hot future prospect. Regular in Germans youth national teams.
Ralph Pawlowski
|
|
|