Germany

4 years ago Germany took a really young side to south Africa and not a lot expected of them. Now the weight of the world is on them. The likes of Ozil, Hummels, Kroos and Muller are all world class players now. Bayern Munich have dominated World football for a few years and they have German players the whole way through the squad. Pound for Pound this is the best team in the tournament. There is not a weakness throughout the team with the maybe exception of a centre forward. They have Klose and Podolski but I think they may start with Muller as a false 9. But with Gotze, Kroos, Draxler, Muller, Schurrle, Ozil and Schweinsteiger they are not short of midfield players who can weigh in with a goal or 2. At the back they are strong. Right back may be questionable but they have the best keeper in the world right now, Hummels, Meresacker and Lahm in front of him and the highly rated Howedes and Boateng to come in if needed. Germany will be a force this world cup for sure.

I actually think they are similar to Spain. I guess thats not a bad thing. The foundations in place for German football are brilliant. They are used to making organised solid defences and building on that. They struggled recently to make as many full backs and midfield players but the full backs worldwide are not that strong at the minute. In terms of individuals Klose deserves one more shot at the top ever scorer at the world cup. He needs 2 to overtake Ronaldo (the Brazilian one) at the top ever goal scorer at the world cup (set in 2006). Podolski is a great goal scorer as well and Im a big fan of Andre Schurrle. Its a shame that Marco Reus got his injury but they have enough cover in this squad.

The Sub goalkeeper in the squad is a chap called Ron-Robert Zieler who was at Manchester United as a young player and had a loan spell for a few months at Little Northampton Town (This is where is am from and watch a lot of football at). He played 2 games in 93 days and was mainly behind a chap called Frank Fielding who is currently playing in the championship. If you had told me that 6 years later he would be in the German squad for the World cup even as a back up I simply wouldn’t have believed you. I am really pleased for him.  

Tough Group, Germany are joined by Portugal, Ghana and the USA. I think the USA will be bottom of the group. Don’t get me wrong i don’t think they are bad but they don’t tend to win against teams better than them and Ghana tend to turn up to these kind of games. If you don’t know the Boatangs in both the Germany Squad (Jerome) and Ghana’s Kevin Prince are bothers who chose to play for different national squads. They are both German with Ghana roots. Both played for Germany at youth levels and both play in Germany now but Kevin Prince made his name a little later than Jerome (in terms of age) and Ghana were able to snap him up. 4 years ago they played each other at the world cup and again they have done again this year.  Portugal have the world player of the year in Ronaldo and will be a counter attacking force make no mistake. They could beat Germany but I actually think they wont. Germany to top this group but they wont win all 3 games. If they do, put your money on them to win the cup.

Star Man: Ozil

One to watch: Gotze

Prediction: Semi finals/ Final