FIFA World Cup 2010: Whats Next For Germany's New Generation?

They came, they saw, they (sort of) conquered. The German World Cup team was the youngest since 1934 and little was expected of them this year, yet they proceeded to dazzle the world and their own nation with a mixture of skill, maturity and energy. Some were already within the cross-hairs for some of Europe's biggest clubs, while others unrecognizable outside Germany.

All of them became superstars.

Now, with World Cup almost over, owners blowing the dust of their check books, agents playing summer resorts for holidays and managers sweating with panic at the thought of their player leaving, the time has come for these youngsters to make one of the most important decisions of their career: Where to go from now?

I will try to assess what choices some of the German players who've caught the eye should make with the plethora of clubs bidding to get their signature.

Mesut Ozil

Age: 21

Position: Attacking Midfield

Current Club: Werder Bremen

Time Left On Contract: 1 year

Interested Clubs (Rumored) : Manchester United, Arsenal, Real Madrid, Barcelona

(Rumored) Value: 20 - 25 Million Pounds

I'l start off with the most sort after of the current crop of players. Mesut Ozil showed his potential in last years European U-21 Championships leading Germany to a 4-0 win over their English counterparts in the Final with a goal and 2 assists and now proved his ability with a string of impressive performances in this years World Cup.

The boy is truly blessed. A magnificent touch, an eye for a pass coupled with the ability to execute them and a brain of a playmaker in his prime. A player with the ability to be comfortable throughout the final third, he can pull the opposition defence out of position creating holes for his fellow players to roll into. His passing makes him a constant danger for defenders marking strikers and runners. He is the total playmaker.

With almost all of Europe's elite clubs after him and Ozil currently on a 20k/week wage, the temptation is present for Ozil to leave Bremen. Next season will provide Ozil with a new challenge, his 3rd season in the UEFA Champions League (albeit qualifying stage) but a first as a leader of his team. Frings might be the captain but Werder Bremen's offense runs through Ozil and when Ozil doesn't perform, Bremen usually don't as well.

Ozil would now face a responsibility far beyond what he would being part of a star studded Manchester United or Real Madrid side. This gives him an opportunity to build his mental character which is vital for any player willing to play for championships latter on in his career.

With 1 year left on his contract, the current situation as has much a dilemma for Bremen as it is for Ozil who now to decide whether to cash in on Ozil and risk losing their offensive heart and soul and possibily crashing out before the UCL group stages (which itself is a monetary incentive) or to stay with Ozil and lose him for free.

My recommended decision: Stay with Bremen.

He has 1 year left on his contract and can thus leave to a club of his own choice at that time. Also, with a possibility of playing in the UCL, he can further establish himself on a continental scale and thus enhance his chances of moving into the starting line-up of some of Europe's elite clubs, something he might not achieve if he joins right now.

Sami Khedira

Age: 23

Position: Central Midfield

Current Club: Vfb Stuttgart

Time Left on Contract: 1 year

Interested Clubs (Rumored): Real Madrid, Bayern Munich, Manchester United

(Rumored) Value: 12-14 Million Pounds

Forget about relative, Khedira was a complete unknown outside Germany before the World Cup. Even after his performances as the captain of Germany's successful European U-21 Team showed his leadership capabilities, there weren't many rumours circulating about a possible move outside Germany for the youngster.

Many people were surprised to see his maturity and energy alongside Bastian Schweinsteiger in midfield, but Khedira had been showing this, and much more, for the last couple of seasons at Vfb Stuttgart where he became on of the leaders of the team as vice captain (though a favourite to become the captain after the departure of Thomas Hitzlsperger). His return from injury couple with the appointment of Christian Gross as manager saw a complete turn around for the Swabian outfit as they moved from a relegation spot at winter to a Europa League place by season's end.

Also with only a year left in his contract, Stuttgart face a similar decision in whether to sell Khedira and cash in or risk advancement in the Europa League. Monetary issue's shouldn't be much of a problem for Stuttgart since they still have a bunch of transfer kitty left over from their record sale of Mario Gomez to Bayern last season so it might seem that Stuttgart can afford to keep him.

My recommended decision: Leave Stuttgart for Bayern Munich.

Stuttgart have been part of European competitions consistently for a while now so Khedira has seen it before, therefore the Europa League shouldn't provide to much of a jump for combative midfielder. Bayern Munich should be looking for a midfield partner for Schwiensteiger because of Van Bommel's advancing age and thus might be willing to cash in Khedira. That would provide a perfect opportunity for Khedira to grow as a player by playing consistently in the UCL and also get a better understanding with Schweinsteiger for future national competitions.

If Bayern don't come calling, then Khedira should be careful in not moving for a club to big because he hasn't yet established himself on the same level as say Mesut Ozil or David Silva who are within the same age.

Manuel Neuer

Age: 24

Position: Goalkeeper

Current Club: Schalke 04

Time Left on Contract: 2 years

Interested Clubs (Rumoured): Manchester United, Bayern Munich

(Rumoured) Value: 15 million Pounds

Another member of last years European U-21 squad, Neuer had become the talk of the town in the 2007-2008 UEFA Champions League season after his blinding performance in the 2nd leg of the Round of 16 against Porto. A couple of 1-on-1 saves and an unbelievable save from point blank range was followed by 2 super stops in the tie-deciding penalty shootout.

Neuer was always believed to be a talent but many doubted his temperament due to his regular lapses of concentration, something which should be expected from a young goalkeeper. Over the last 2 year, Neuer has gone a long way in dispelling those myths with consistently good performances as head of the meanest defence in the Bundesliga. While maintaining the same cat like reflexes, Neuer managed to slowly pull out those errors that crept in once in a while.

His performances in a World Cup marred by an a number of goalkeeping howlers has been admirable. With a ball whose unpredictable swerving causes numerous handling problems for goalkeepers, Neuer has managed to hold on to majority of the shots coming his way from long range, which were quite numerous in the knockout stages.

Being THE most important member of his Schalke side, coach Felix Magath has made it clear that he isn't for sale. Schalke are also a club who, while currently being short of money (though backed by a rich sponsorship deal), are ambitious and thus want to stay as contenders of the Bundesliga and thus wouldn't be moved unless a very big offer comes their way,

My recommendation: Stay at Schalke.

Schalke have qualified for the group stages of the Champions League and thus Neuer has another chance to show his qualities on an arguably tougher (in terms of competition) stage. With quotes also suggesting Neuer wants to extend his deal at the club, it looks like he might be with the club for a long time to come, which would not be a bad choice given that Schalke consistently find themselves fighting for the Bundesliga and the UCL spots.

Thomas Mueller

Age: 20

Position: Winger/Forward

Current Club: Bayern Munich

Time Left on Contract: 4 years

Interested Clubs (Rumoured): Chelsea

(Rumoured) Value: 20 million Pounds

Talk about shooting to fame. A year back Bayern youngster had just made a couple of professional appearances and now finds himself on the back of a season comprising of a domestic double, UEFA Champions League final and a World Cup semi-final. All of which had a lot to do with his role in the team. A player who can fit into any system seamlessly, his versatility and work rate make him a dream for any manager; and that is before we include his immense quality.

Quick, intelligent, wonderful dribbler, good passer and finisher, these qualities make Thomas Mueller a wonderful all-round attacking player. The statistics don't lie as well, 19 goals and 15 assists over the season show how effective he can be.

His case is a lot easier then the previous 3 since he is an important member of the Bayern team and thus, with the Bayern board being brash and rigid regarding selling their players, it is very unlikely he will be sold. The board have also emphasized that point by offering to extend Mueller's deal even more and offer him higher wages.

My recommendation: Stay at Bayern.

Even with Ribery and Robben on the wings, Olic-Klose-Gomez as strikers, Mueller was able to maintain a consistent starting place as either a winger (albiet due to the absence of Ribery) or as a striker. It is clear that Mueller is a favourite of coach Louie Van Gaal and thus would be part of the starters and thus will continue to grow at the club.

The Rest

With the way the aforementioned players have been performing, its easy to forget about the other youngsters that are part of the squad. For some, it has been a case of the coach preferring experienced players ahead of them eventhough they might have same quality. Though their role has been minimal this year, you can expect the likes of Marko Marin, Toni Kroos and Serdar Tasci to have much more of an effect for the next version of the tournament (if Germany qualify).

Some of the youngsters, though they haven't been able to impress in South Africa, are still being mentioned among the tabloids as possible targets, thus here is a summary of who wants them and what they should do:

Marko Marin:

Age: 20 Club: Bremen, Interested: Juventus.

Should stay at Bremen. If Ozil goes, his role becomes even more important that it already is. If Ozil stays, he can continue to work on his exceptional partnership with the playmaker. Juventus might be in need for a winger but his role at Bremen would be much more important and therefore he would have more responsibility.

Serdar Tasci:

Age: 22 Club: Vfb Stuttgart, Interested: Juventus, Arsenal.

Should stay at Stuttgart. Both Arsenal and Juventus have already picked up new centre backs for the next season, therefore it would be difficult to see Tasci being confirmed a starting role in either side. For Stuttgart though it is a different case since he has been their main man in defence for 3 years now. If he continues his performances he will continue to be part of the Germany squad and also compete in European competitions, maybe a move after a couple of years would be better.