Kroos control!
Bayern Munich’s Toni Kroos, an attacking midfielder and another one of those 20 something talents is in pole position to replace the suspended Thomas Mueller.
At 17 years and 265 days, he is the youngest player to debut for Bayern. His praises have been sung by Miroslav Klose and Ollie Kahn since he won the 2007 U20 World Cup Golden Ball. He was loaned out to Bayer Leverkusen at the start of last season and made an instant impact. Jogi Low has shown no hesitation in gambling with young talent and against Spain, Kroos will find no bigger stage. He ironically, is billed as his generation’s Michael Ballack.
The super subs:
Others in line to replace Mueller are Hamburg’s Piotr Trochowski who has far more experience and brings his skill and pace down the left as a playmaker but is more likely to come off the bench. Bayern Munich’s Marko Marin operating down the right at gut busting speed is more of a goal scoring threat but could be kept as Low’s ace in the hole.