RB Leipzig are the Herbstmeister, champions of fall. Star striker Timo Werner is on 18 goals, one short of Robert Lewandowski (19), but Werner’s most important goal is to convert this impressive beginning into a real name title.
But enough of this; this is all about who’s next! Who’s ready for the primary stage?
Following is a list of five players who might create 2020 their own.
Amine Harit (22) – FC Schalke
David Wagner needed to re-energise a side that severely underperformed last effort, and also the former Huddersfield Town manager has already guided the Gelsenkirchen club back to possible title contenders.
After a big summer clear-out plus some handy signings, it’s actually been 22-year-old Amine Harit who’s emerged as a genuine star.
Harit, having made 30 Ligue 1 looks for Nantes in 2016-17, is now in his third Bundesliga season and is quickly becoming a veteran of the league.
The diminutive Moroccan has already got the Young Player of the Year award in his trophy cabinet. After a tricky period off the pitch, he is eventually re-discovering his Midas touch.
Joshua Zirkzee (18) – Bayern Munich
“Joshua Zirkzee” is a name you better get used to because you’re likely to listen to Bundesliga commentators shout his name a hell of a lot in 2020.
Bayern Munich have been lurching between the sublime and the absurd recently, but Zirkzee has come to the fore with two massive game-winning goals against Freiburg and Wolfsburg to keep his side in the title hunt.
The small sample size we have seen indicates a natural eye for goal and specialist positioning. Another out-and-out Torjäger alongside Lewandowski.
The 18-year-old could play a huge part in the Rückrunde for the Bavarians, especially with fellow child Jan Fiete-Arp still sidelined.
Don’t sleep on Josh Zirkzee.
Milot Rashica (23) – Werder Bremen
Milot Rashica has been a shining light in this Werder Bremen group for a while now and recently scored an outstanding solo goal against Bayern Munich, which sadly (for him) will forever be known as the Philipe Coutinho game.
But while the 23-year-old hurtles into a third Bundesliga season, it is his first as arguably the team’s primary man, with Max Kruse leaving in the summer.
The direct and pacy Kosovan is hard to pin down and frequently comes off the left into central positions to do severe damage. His endeavour is matched with an exceptional dribbling style that often bamboozles defenders.
Rashica’s known by many in Germany, but this time next year he could be a name on the lips of every top team in Europe.
Marcel Sabitzer (25) – RB Leipzig
If you are a Bundesliga fan and don’t know about this man, then where have you been in the last six months?
Marcel Sabitzer has already outscored his Bundesliga tally of the last two seasons with six goals and has duly added five assists in this effort.
With RB Leipzig riding high at the peak of the league, Sabitzer has proved the perfect foil for Werner. The 25-year-old has scored some outstanding goals this year. Check out his attack against Zenit at the Champions League.
You can really see the benefit of getting Julian Nagelsmann, among the best young coaches in Europe, directing him.
2020 could see Sabitzer pick up a Bundesliga title and announce himself as bona fide star.
Luca Waldschmidt (23) – SC Freiburg
Luca Waldschmidt was an instrumental force in Freiburg’s impressive Hinrunde before a knee injury and facial fracture put pay to much of this season.
Waldschmidt’s goal-laden summer during the U21 European philosopher had continued into the Bundesliga campaign with four goals in his first seven appearances. The 23-year-old is beginning to find his feet in top-flight football and is helped by manager Christian Streich’s fluid formations. He often drifts wide, allowing the full-backs to exploit the distance behind. Adept at running with the ball and possessing a clean strike, it is clear to see he’s been schooled in the German national group setup for years.
The expectation will be that the talented forward can come back with a bang in 2020 and help Freiburg towards an improbable European spot.
