World Cup 2010: Who Can Replace Thomas Mueller For The Semi-Final?

There have been many revelations in this young and vibrant German side, but Thomas Mueller's incredible rise has been the most startling.

Mueller has won the league and cup double with Bayern Munich, and he also reached the Champions League final, and now he has scored four goals in his debut World Cup, from the wing.

If Mueller's first professional season is any indication of his footballing future as a whole, then he has a long and successful career ahead of him.

Mueller has made himself indispensable to club and county, but for the crunch semi-final against Spain he will not be playing due to a soft booking received against Argentina. Mueller will undoubtedly be missed for his direct style of play and drive, but who is capable of filling the breach while he is suspended?

Piotr Trochowski:

Hamburg winger Trochowski is most likely to deputise on the left wing for Mueller. Trochowski is quick and a decent crosser of the ball. However, he has had a fairly inconspicuous season at Hamburg, not reaching the heights of former seasons, but he is the most experienced winger on the bench.

Marko Marin:

Mesut Oezil's Bremen team mate Marin is a small, pacy and very skillful dribbler of the ball. He has only appeared in brief substitutions for Germany, but has the potential to link formidably with Oezil. Marin is a good crosser of the ball, and has played up front for Bremen meaning that he is also a competent finisher. Due to his size and build, Marin does lack strength and any duels with fast defenders might see him struggle. Expect him to make an appearance against Spain as an impact substitute, especially if Germany fall behind, where his tricky dribbling in the box can lead to opportunities.

Toni Kroos:

Though prodominantly a deep lying playmaker, Kroos has played on both wings for Bayer Leverkusen this season, where his excellent passing range is put to good effect. He lacks the pace of true wingers, but can make up for it with insightful movement and distribution. An outside shot but a possibility.

Stefan Keissling:

The Leverkusen frontman had a barnstorming first season upfront scoring over 20 goals. The added benefit here is that Keissling started his career as a right winger so knows the position, while also having a scoring touch. He is fairly quick and rather powerful, especially in the air, but lacks Mueller's dribbling ability. He is largely untested at international level, but so was Thomas Mueller, again, this is unlikely but a viable option.

Cacau:

Brazillian born Cacau is a doubt for the game with damaged stomach muscles, but if he can prove his fitness he might just be Jogi Loew's first choice. He offers much industry and pace to the right flank, but it looks like he is losing his race to be fit, hence his being last here.

Germany will have to put faith in a player untested yet in this World Cup, but Jogi Loew has proven that faith is something he is willing to give. Whoever comes in will be well versed in the teams tactics and will slot into Loew's gameplan smoothly, of that you can be sure.

It just remains to be seen whether the replacement grabs the chance with both hands to give Mueller some competition for his starting spot.