After a two-month hiatus, football is set to resume this weekend, with the German Bundesliga returning to action. Bundesliga will be the first of the top five European leagues to return from suspension. And naturally, the fans are excited for footballing action to return to their TV screens.
A lot of top-quality players will be taking the field starting this weekend. And ahead of the much-anticipated return of the Bundesliga, here are five players worth keeping an eye out for in the final leg of the 2019/20 campaign.
Robert Lewandowski (Bayern Munich)
One of the most feared strikers in Europe, Robert Lewandowski may very well be on the wrong side of the thirties, but that hasn’t stopped him plundering goals in large numbers. The Poland international had been Bayern’s shining light in a difficult first half of the campaign and has continued to play an important role under new manager Hansi Flick, as Die Roten have mounted a strong comeback.
Third on the list of all-time leading goalscorers in the Bundesliga, Lewandowski has found the back of the net 25 times in 23 games this season, scoring at a rate of more than one goal per game. The 31-year-old also has three assists to go along with his goals.
Lewandowski finished the last two seasons as the top goalscorer in the Bundesliga, and given the form that he has shown and only Werner for competition, one wouldn’t bet against him to complete a hat-trick of Torjagerkanone.
Jadon Sancho (Borussia Dortmund)
One of the most sought-after players heading into the summer transfer window, Borussia Dortmund star Jadon Sancho has had an exceptional 2019/20 campaign. The England international has grown into a superstar since joining the German outfit in 2017 and has been one of the key driving forces behind their push for the title this term.
The 20-year-old has contributed with 14 goals and 15 assists in the league this term. Only Lionel Messi of Barcelona and Lazio’s Ciro Immobile have been directly involved in more goals than the Dortmund winger in the top five leagues in Europe.
A gifted dribbler possessing blistering pace, the England international backs it up with quality end product, making him a lethal presence on the field. His form will be key for Dortmund if they are to end the Bayern Munich monopoly in Bundesliga.
Timo Werner (RB Leipzig)
The 24-year-old German international has grown into one of the most consistent goalscorers in Europe over the past couple of seasons. And as a result, he has attracted interest from a number of top clubs in the continent. There is no denying the importance of Timo Werner in the rapid rise of RB Leipzig as one of the top sides in Germany and a regular fixture in European football.
Under Julian Nagelsmann this season, the German striker has been leading RB Leipzig’s charge for the title, as they sit just five points below leaders Bayern Munich. Werner is the second-highest goalscorer in the Bundesliga this term, bagging 21 goals in 25 league outings while contributing with seven assists as well.
Werner’s pace and clinical finishing, coupled with his ability to play in wider roles make him a perfect fit in Nagelsmann’s team. And if Leipzig are to somehow topple both Bayern and Dortmund to the title, the former VfB Stuttgart man will, without a doubt, be the key man.
Kai Havertz (Bayer Leverkusen)
Bayer Leverkusen, under Peter Bosz, have grown into one of the most exciting teams to watch due to their gung-ho attacking approach. And one of the key members that has helped this system work seamlessly is the 20-year-old attacking midfielder, Kai Havertz.
The Leverkusen academy man might not have been involved in as many goals as some of the players on this list, having contributed with six goals and five assists in 22 Bundesliga outings, but his value to the team goes far beyond these numbers. Havertz stands out on the field due to his intelligent movement, ability to pick a pass that unlocks defences, while also being incredibly versatile.
Indeed, the youngster has been deployed in an array of roles by Bosz, starting from his preferred No. 10 role, to a false-nine, to a box-to-box midfielder, as well as a winger. And Havertz has thrived wherever he has been stationed. For Leverkusen to clinch a Champions League spot, the youngster, who has been linked with Chelsea and Liverpool, will have a pivotal role to play.
Alassane Plea (Borussia Monchengladbach)
The Frenchman has grown into a key player for Borussia Monchengladbach since joining the club in the summer of 2018. And he has once again been a top performer for the Foals this season, as they sit just six points behind leaders Bayern Munich.
Plea, so far this season, has scored eight goals and assisted seven more in 22 Bundesliga matches. Five of his eight goals have been match-winning efforts. Only Lewandowski and Wolfsburg’s Wout Weghorst have scored more match-winners than the 27-year-old forward in the German top-flight this term.
Plea’s exceptional positional awareness and movement in the final third make him an important player for the team, as he has that ability to drag defenders with him, creating gaps for his teammates. Gladbach truly have a quality player with great all-round qualities, who will be key for them to push for a top three finish.
