What It Takes To Play For The DFB-11

November 6th, 2009 | by: Nick | View Comments

So what does it take to be nominated to play for the German national team? Well you have to be a German citizen of course and identify strongly with Germany for sure, but are there secrets to being consistently nominated or to get that crucial first nomination? Recently Aaron Hunt, Stefan Kiessling, Thomas Müller have been selected to represent the Nationalmannschaft in the final matches of the year. Here is a glimpse into how they did it.

Aaron Hunt has been rumored to be pursued by England. When was the last time you saw a volley like that? Right here. No wonder even England wants him – an accolade that has never been given to our players. Furthermore, Werder has had a great season thus far thanks to the creative triumvirate of Hunt, Marin, and Özil. These players have an understanding of each other extending from their club and it should be natural to play them together in a friendly – that is if they get a chance to play at all.

Maybe you have to just be consistently in form so that you can’t be ignored. Certainly that seems the case for Stefan Kiessling. After missing out for the last qualification match in October, Kiessling remains the Bundesliga’s top scorer and has finally made it back to the fold. Let’s hope this time his outing is not as unimpressive as the one against Norway.

Perhaps you need an unmistakeably impressive name like the one Thomas Müller has. Of course it also helps that Müller has living up to his name and performing consistenly whenever he is not suspended. Müller has a lot to learn, but he can be just the element of surprise sorely needed by Bayern at least.

Finally there is the strange case of Thomas Hitzlsperger. It has often been said that some of the best players do not visibly contribute to the team, but their presence somehow effects a better result. Dietmar Hamann for example for Liverpool in the miraculous 2005 Champions League Final did this. Hitzlsperger on the other hand has lately been benched because of his lack at form at Stuttgart. Considering that he is the team captain the action was quite an understatement. Maybe players like Mats Hummels have not been impressive as of late, but surely they deserve the nod over Hitzlsperger? Apparently not…

Let’s hope in any event the players selected redeem their nomination, contribute to the team, and live up to the jersey they are wearing….