Being asked to select quality players who have been somewhat under-utilised by their teams in the Bundesliga was no easy task.
Indeed, it led me to a fairly extensive search because it’s hardly rocket science that, as long as they are available, the majority of football managers tend to pick their best players most of the time!
So, who were the exceptions to the rule last term in the German top flight?
To begin with, there weren’t any obvious ones who stood out – certainly not as obvious as, say, in the English Premier League where the regular omission of Donny van de Beek was a mystery to many Manchester United supporters.
I did find two though, both at very different ends of the age spectrum.
For that very reason it’s hardly surprising a teenager and a veteran aren’t played too regularly and, in truth, injury more than being out of favour is the main reason for their inclusion.
However, the statistics show they make a significant contribution when involved and could be utilised even more in 2022-23.
Let me begin with a veteran who came very close to making my Bundesliga team of the season last time out.
At the age of 34, Cologne’s Anthony Modeste was understandably deemed to have had his best days behind him.
Yet his 20 goals not only provided some of the Bundesliga highlights of the campaign but helped Koln defy the 2022 odds as they finished seventh to qualify for the Europa Conference League.
Yes, he featured in all bar two of his side’s league games so could hardly be classed as under-utilised.
But, given his input, and the fact he only played eight the campaign before due to knee problems, you can see he is a player whose age should not prevent him from being used too sparingly.
At the other end is someone half his age.
When I saw he was born in May 2003, I realised how well this young man is doing.
Now there was good reason Florian Wirtz only played 24 league matches (22 as a starter) for Bayer Leverkusen last term.
A cruciate ligament rupture sustained against Cologne in March meant the 19 year-old attacking midfield magician’s mesmerising skills were noticeably absent in the latter part of the season.
What an impact he had though and it is doubtful, once recovered fully, he will be used quite as sparingly.
The under-21 European champion with Germany enjoyed his best ever start to a campaign last season, racking up four goals and six assists in his first seven league games.
The first player under 19 to net 11 Bundesliga goals, Wirtz was also at one point the division’s youngest ever scorer at 17.
After featuring in just nine top-flight matches in 2022, it’s understandable his name may have been placed somewhat to one side for the moment.
In other words, when Wirtz plays, Leverkusen often thrive and he makes things happen.
Despite only turning 19 in May, Wirtz was one of the major reasons why his side secured a third-place finish and he has now committed his future to the club by adding another year to his previous long-term deal.
One of the things I’m most looking forward to is seeing how he and Patrik Schick combine next term.
So, after a summer in which one star man has departed Germany and another is likely to follow, the Bundesliga will still have the capacity to thrill next term. And what’s the betting – don’t forget to study the SBOTOP Bundesliga betting odds by the way – that Wirtz and Modeste (injuries permitting) will feature more than ever.
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