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Germany's right back spot

Jonathan HardingJuly 24, 2014

With recent Germany captain Philipp Lahm retiring from international duty, an heir to the right back's throne must be found. The upcoming Bundesliga campaign boasts a number of candidates.

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PT Mögliche Nachfolger von Philipp Lahm

It's simply not possible for Germany to replace Philipp Lahm. Nor would it be for any other country. The intelligence and adaptability that Lahm brought to this Germany side was unique, not to mention the fact he's the first captain to win the World Cup for a unified Germany.

While Bastian Schweinsteiger - the frontrunner to take over the armband - will bring just as much experience and composure, Lahm's positional absence leaves a real question mark as to just who his tactical successor will be.

That player, whoever they may be, must be prepared to start a new era in the position. Lahm was the team's cog wherever he played, but with his time in the national team now over, the focus should return to midfield or the center of defense, where a once dominant force has returned.

That leaves the right back spot open to Germany's best candidate, and there are a few. Perhaps there's no better place to start than VfL Wolfsburg's Sebastian Jung. His recent move from a transitional Eintracht Frankfurt side to a Europa League team pushing to return to Europe's elite competition shows both his improvement and ambition.

FC Porto vs Eintracht Frankfurt
On paper, Jung is the favorite to replace LahmImage: picture-alliance/dpa

Jung has widely been hailed as Germany's next best right back, but has constantly been overlooked by Germany coach Joachim Löw. While that may continue, 39 appearances, one goal and 10 assists in all competitions were not a bad return in what proved to be Jung's final season in Frankfurt colors. His positioning has been steadily improving, his defensive stability adds even more weight to his attacking threat, and at 24-years-old he also has some leadership qualities under his belt, having captained Frankfurt on 19 occasions last season.

Other than Jung, there is also Kevin Grosskreutz. The primary position of Germany's Mr. Utility is right back and his improvement has been impressive considering how positionally poor he was at times in seasons of the past. The experience he gathered in Brazil will stand him in good stead for the future under Löw, but like any player that the German coach picked but didn't play in the 2014 tournament, Grosskreutz will perhaps have to work twice as hard to prove his worth in future selections.

On the same note, Erik Durm's improvement might have risen faster than yeast, but he's primarily a left back. A move to right back for Germany would be a surprise considering he seems odds on favorite to fend off Marcel Schmelzer for the left back spot at Dortmund.

Fußball Bundesliga Borussia Dortmund gegen Hannover 96
Durm is certainly an outsiderImage: picture-alliance/dpa

Freiburg's Oliver Sorg has been a steady improver in the Bundesliga, and can also boast left back versatility if required. Having broken through in the 2011/12 season, Sorg proved a versatile player for Freiburg the following year, occupying the left and right back positions - as well as defensive midfield once. In the season just finished he predominately played at right back and with the national post now open, he knows that a good upcoming season could give him the edge. Like Jung, perhaps now Löw cannot overlook Sorg as a genuine consideration.

Wolfsburg's Christian Träsch is only 26 and has 10 Germany caps to his name, but his once promising potential has since faded amidst injuries - he recently suffered a shoulder injury that looks set to keep him out for eight weeks. Hamburg's Dennis Diekmeier is two years younger but has struggled in a Hamburg team desperately short of defensive solidity.

Hoffenheim's Andreas Beck has Germany caps to his name, but has shown one too many moments of unreliability to perhaps be considered now.

Ironically, Fabian Johnson might just be wondering what might have been had he opted for Germany rather than the USA. The right back, born in Munich, was one of the stand-out players for Jürgen Klinsmann's team during the 2014 World Cup, but after Philipp Lahm's retirement, the door to wearing Germany colors might well have been open to him.

Fußball Bundesliga TSG 1899 Hoffenheim - Sport-Club Freiburg am 24.08.2013
After a solid season at Hoffenheim, Johnson was a World Cup stand-out for the USAImage: Getty Images

Despite all of these names, Löw's consistency cannot be forgotten. Once hailed as foolishly stubborn, Löw had the last laugh in Brazil after his conservative nature lead Germany to their fourth World Cup triumph. Even with changes ahead, Löw will tread carefully. His recent tendency to favor a back line of centre backs, suggests that Jerome Boateng could move wide - opening the door for another centre back (Holger Badstuber's second coming?).

Yet with Boateng performing heroically in the centre of defense, Benedikt Höwedes deceptively only 26-years-old and Mats Hummels the new face of Germany's back line, the right back is the only position up for grabs. And Löw has a whole season to decide who the winner will be.