The German Bundesliga is stuffed with world-class talent and these five players are likely to light up the league once more this season.
Robert Lewandowski
Where else to start? The Polish centre forward continues to defy expectations with his performances even though he is now 33.
Last season, he broke the late Gerd Muller’s Bundesliga record for goals in a season – netting his 41st in the final minute of their final day 5-2 win against Augsburg.
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@lewy_official ist Deutschlands Fußballer des Jahres 2021.
Glückwunsch, Lewy!
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— FC Bayern München (@FCBayern) July 25, 2021
It is incredible to think he arrived at the Allianz Arena as a free transfer from Borussia Dortmund in 2014 – without question, he will go down in history as perhaps the greatest bargain in transfer history.
Lewandowski’s goal contributed to Bayern winning a ninth consecutive title and Julian Nagelsmann will hope the veteran can help make it 10 – Bayern can be backed at 1/5 to retain their crown.
Erling Haaland
The heir to Lewandowski is perhaps featuring for Bayern’s big Bundesliga rivals in the form of Borussia Dortmund’s Erling Haaland.
The son of former Norway defender Alf-Inge exploded onto the scene in 2019 with Austrian outfit RB Salzburg before Dortmund won the race for his signature.
Since joining in January 2020, Haaland has bagged an incredible 62 goals in 63 games and his blistering pace, strength, movement off the ball and coolness in front of goal makes him one of the most rounded forwards in world football.
The scary thing is that he’s just 21 and has the world at his feet – Haaland can be backed to fire Dortmund to title success at 6/1.
Joshua Kimmich
Kimmich might not grab the headlines in the same way as the two players mentioned above, but Bayern would not function quite the same without him.
In a similar way to previous Bayern skipper Phillip Lahm, Kimmich has the ability to excel in multiple positions – he is just at home playing in midfield as he is right-back.
Technically accomplished and strong in the challenge, there aren’t many weaknesses in the 26-year-old’s game as he prepares to enter his peak years.
On-field intelligence is hard to quantify but Kimmch clearly has it in abundance due to his ability to read the game and his decision making.
Jude Bellingham
Like a handful of English players in recent years, Bellingham uprooted himself from home and challenged himself to play abroad, and he is certainly reaping the rewards.
The 18-year-old is already an established member of the first-team squad and his form earned him a call up to England’s Euro 2020 squad.
Bellingham looked excellent for former club Birmingham but few would have expected him to progress at the speed he has done for Dortmund.
However, his remarkable composure and technical class has seen his stock elevate massively – Bellingham is without doubt one for now as well as one for the future.
Dani Olmo
Olmo shone for Spain in Euro and now he could be the main man as RB Leipzig look to complete their ascension from obscurity to Bundesliga champions.
Built in the classic mould of a Spanish attacking midfielder, Olmo has great vision, an assured first touch, and the ability to score a goal.
Last season, he scored five in 32 Bundesliga games and will be hoping to better that record for 2021-22.
Die Roten Bullen can be backed at 11/1 to spring something of a surprise and win the Bundesliga title this year.
*All odds correct at time of writing.
