With Toni Kroos among four Germany greats to call time on their international career, Julian Nagelsmann must remodel his side for a new era. There are plenty of young jewels competing to join the likes of Florian Wirtz and Jamal Musiala in the starting XI, as we explore his options...
There is optimism in the air around the Germany camp after a feelgood Euro 2024 in which the hosts played some superb football on the way to their first quarter-final appearance at a major tournament since 2016.
Having scored the second most goals in the tournament (11) and being edged out in an extremely tight encounter with eventual winners Spain, Germany coach Nagelsmann already has a well-functioning unit he can build on in UEFA Nations League encounters and World Cup qualifying.
Replacing the Legends
Legendary Bayern Munich goalkeeper Neuer will be missed - as a World Cup winner, one of Germany's most-capped players ever (124) and pioneer of the sweeper-keeper role. He should, however, be relatively straightforward to replace with a hugely experienced understudy long waiting for a chance to shine between the sticks for the national team in Marc-Andre ter Stegen.
Kroos is a different matter, simply because nobody in world football can match his unique skill set of a near-perfect passing ability and phenomenal understanding of the game.
New Borussia Dortmund signing Pascal Groß could well be the man asked to slot into a deep-lying midfield position instead. He certainly boasts the experience and awareness to take on the mantle is his own way, saying: "Nagelsmann has already said he isn't expecting anyone to be exactly like Kroos. That's quite right, I think. Toni is perhaps the greatest German footballer of all time."
Dortmund team-mate Emre Can was Kroos's partner in the double pivot in the starting line-up against Spain. While his experience as a pure holding midfielder made him a great option against the formidable Spanish attack, it is quite possible Nagelsmann will favour promising Bayern talent Aleksandar Pavlović as a starter.
Bayer Leverkusen midfield general Robert Andrich had started the four previous encounters in the Euros and his battling ability brings a vital attribute to the national side.
That raises the question as to whether Groß's slick passing could see him deployed further forward in the higher central position vacated by the retired Gündoğan.
The New Generation Takes Charge
One thing for certain is that the captain's armband is being passed from Gündoğan to Joshua Kimmich, who is expected to continue in a right-back role. Jonathan Tah and Nico Schlotterback are the most likely first-choice central-defensive pairing, with the left-back role being a toss-up between Stuttgart's Maximilian Mittelstädt and Leipzig's David Raum - who hit more crosses than any other player in the Bundesliga in 2023/24.
The attacking magic of Florian Wirtz and Jamal Musiala seem essential ingredients in any possible Germany first XI, although the centre-forward role is another uncertain point.
With Kai Havertz in rich goalscoring form, the former Leverkusen man seems most likely to get the nod. Should a classic number nine be called for, Niclas Füllkrug will be ready for a starting berth.
In reality, the pair's strike figures for their respective English Premier League club sides could decide that for Nagelsmann.
The same applies for the seemingly more settled positions - with the 2024/25 Bundesliga season just getting underway along with Europe's other major leagues, there is a lot of football ahead in which talents can force their way into Nagelsman's first XI.
The Race for a Spot in the Starting XI
Stuttgart midfielder Angelo Stiller, who received his first call-up ahead of Germany's Nations League tie against Hungary is one such player who will battle over the coming months to make an impression on the Germany coach, with team-mate Chris Führich and new Dortmund signing Maximilian Beier two attackers with hopes of building on strong 2023/24 seasons to push for inclusion.
Even if they don't start, Führich, Beier and Stuttgart's Deniz Undav will provide additional attacking options from the bench in the absence of Thomas Müller, who has also called time on his long and distinguished international career.
Naturally, the impact the players make in a Germany shirt will also have a huge bearing on Nagelsmann's thinking. He will no doubt want to use UEFA Nations League ties against Hungary, the Netherlands and Bosnia-Herzegovina to try out all his options and establish a favoured bunch for when qualification for the 2026 World Cup starts in March 2025.
The coach has called on all his charges to pull their weight in return, saying: "We want to get a certain core group in place looking ahead to the World Cup, and we don't want to change the entire squad."
A New Era Begins
Germany's future looks bright despite the departure of some of its biggest names. Nagelsmann has a strong foundation to build upon with a mix of experienced players and exciting young talents eager to prove themselves on the international stage. The Nations League campaign provides the perfect platform for Nagelsmann to shape his team for the World Cup qualifiers and beyond, ushering in a new era for German football. It remains to be seen if this new generation can replicate the successes of their predecessors, but one thing is certain - the journey will be captivating for fans worldwide.
