Futmo has picked out three key players that will shine for Die Mannschaft (Germany) throughout the 2024 European Championships.
Defender - Maximilian Mittelstädt
Maximilian Mittelstädt has taken a huge upward turn in his career since joining VfB Stuttgart in the summer of 2023 from the relegated Hertha Berlin. His performances this season earnt him his national team debut against France in March 2024.
With left back being a problem position for Germany in the past, Mittelstädt offers a sense of security and defensive capability that has often been missing in Die Mannschaft's defence.
Having played the full ninety minutes in the opening game against Scotland, Mittelstädt promises to be the starting left back throughout the Euro 2024 campaign.
Midfielder - Toni Kroos
Often labelled as "Querpass-Toni" (sidepass Toni) by some sectors of the German media over the years, Toni Kroos' final campaign as a professional footballer might still level up once more after his Champions League final success.
His decision to come out of retirement to play for Germany in one final major tournament in February shook the footballing world and was no doubt influenced by the perceived progressive approach from the young "Die Mannschaft" (the team/squad) head coach Julian Nagelsmann.
The overcoming of stereotypes in terms of the German's style of play and passing type has been overcome by his statistics this season amongst others as he averaged 11.1 per ninety minutes this season for Real Madrid and also has made 290 progressive passes in the La Liga during the 2023-24 editionof the competition.
This would rank him within the top five in terms of progressive passes in the Premier League, with all four players above Kroos having played more games than the thirty-four-year-old.
Overall, the hype for the return of Kroos on the biggest of international stages and we conclude that throughout the wide research and proof that the midfielder is still putting out some prime statistical figures, a large proportion of the noise surrounding him is justified.
Attacker - Kai Havertz
Having had a successful and career-reviving season with Mikel Arteta's Arsenal as a false nine striker for the Gunners, Havertz scored thirteen goals and made seven assists in the Premier League.
Much to the contrast of his Chelsea tenure, Havertz has been clinical and cut-throat in his finishing throughout many games this campaign and this has helped him to earn the starting spot up front for Julian Nagelsmann's side.
Scoring in the first game against Scotland, Havertz got off the mark this Euros with a neatly finished penalty in the 5-1 demolition of Scotland.