BERLIN, June 21 -- Many see a young Toni Kroos lookalike when watching Leon Goretzka patrolling the midfield at the 2017 Confed Cup.
Five years lie between the 22-year-old youngster from FC Schalke 04 and Real Madrid's superstar. It is obvious that another talented player has appeared on football's horizon - so much so that Goretzka could well be a serious rival for Germany's world class midfielders, especially 30-year-old Sami Khedira (Juventus Turin), at the 2018 World Cup.
In Germany's curtain raiser in Russia against Australia (3-2), Goretzka scored his first goal for the 2017 world champion's senior team. The second group match Thursday evening however poses a sterner test as Germany will face Chile - an encounter that could decide the group.
The ability to read the game is a rare gift even for top class footballers. Goretzka has it, like Kroos. For good reason, the young man from Germany's "Ruhrgebiet" industrial region is being closely watched by clubs like Bayern Munich. Many expect Goretzka to join the Bavarians by, at the latest, 2018 when his contract at Schalke expires.
Like Kroos and Khedira, Goretzka is ruthless in man-on-man situations, his passing is above average, he creates chances for team mates and has impressive pace. When running with the ball at his feet, it appears as if the ball is glued there.
German head coach Joachim Loew praises his midfielder's special skills to venture into spaces deep into the opponent's half. He calls Goretzka's game a big present. The Bochum-born youngster seems to be able to meet Loew's demands like strikers Timo Werner (RB Leipzig) and Serge Gnabry (soon a Bayern Munich player) as Loew coach is desperately looking for game deciders.
If Goretzka is picked for the 2018 World Cup squad, it will not come as a surprise to many - like for other youngsters such as Joshua Kimmich (Bayern Munich), Jonas Hector (FC Cologne), Gnabry and Werner. Perhaps even more importantly, Schalke's midfielder has gained leadership qualities on his way to the German senior time via the various age groups.
He has changed nutrition after examining the causes for a slow recovery rate, injuries and stomach problems together with medical specialists. As he now avoids pork, dairy products, nuts and gluten things, he feels significantly better - so much so that Goretzka claims to have more energy and not to get so tired as he did in the past.
More visible are Goretzka's improvements on the pitch as he is ready to take on several positions in midfield - a defensive role, one down the flanks and as a midfield general.
He sees himself beginning to build a base for himself in the German team but says he nowhere near to taking on a leading role yet. Demanding such a role he says would be presumptuous.
The first step into the new football life as a part of the national team is to always perform well. It was the case when he first donned a Schalke shirt as he improved his scoring record from two to eight in league games within a year.
Improving his effectiveness in front of the goal was one of Goretzka's main focuses in the last months. His advantage, he once said, is his versatility. "I simply love this game and when I was young, I never ever missed a training session."
The midfielder has so far refused to extend his contract with the royal blues which indicates that he will leave the club soon. Goretzka claims his future is not something he is currently thinking about. The most important task at the moment is establishing him in the German national team.
Coach Loew has predicted that the Schalke midfielder will one day be one of international football's top stars, just like Kroos and Khedira who he will soon be rivalling for a place in their team.
美司法部长开除联调局二把手麦凯布
国际英语资讯:Feature: Civilians evacute Syrias Eastern Ghouta after six-year siege
国际英语资讯:UN chief to attend Rome conference in support of UN agency for Palestine refugees
库尔德武装誓言将成为土耳其军队的“恶梦”
英特使:刺杀前俄间谍行动绝非“普通犯罪”
Me, in Ten Years 十年后的我
国际英语资讯:UN Security Council calls for unhindered humanitarian access in Yemen
美欧贸易高官本星期再谈关税问题
国际英语资讯:Feature: Fukushimas forgotten souls
国际英语资讯:Kuwait, Ukraine ink deals to boost bilateral ties
美国国防部长马蒂斯突访喀布尔
国际英语资讯:Israeli PM blamed for seeking snap elections to survive corruption investigations
Trees Planting Day 植树节
前韩国总统李明博因腐败案接受问话
体坛英语资讯:China wins womens team crown in 2019 Asian Table Tennis Championships
Caring For the Poor 关爱贫困
体坛英语资讯:Momota, Chen Long advance into BWF China Open 2nd round
Telling Lies 撒谎
More Than A Family 胜似亲人
佛罗里达步行桥工程师早知已有裂缝
国际英语资讯:Bulgaria, Austria call for better protection of EU borders
My Hometown 我的家乡
国际英语资讯:Spotlight: EU, Britain reach Brexit transition deal ahead of EUs spring summit
国际英语资讯:Global scientists give accolades to Hawkings accomplishments
普京获绝对多数选票即将开始新总统任期
国际英语资讯:Eurozone to unlock 5.7-bln-euro loan to Greece
The Most Difficult Language to Learn 最难学的语言
国际英语资讯:At least 49 killed in US-Bangla Airlines plane crash in Nepal, one Chinese onboard
国际英语资讯:Spotlight: Trump replaces Tillerson with CIA chief, uncertainties mount over U.S. foreign po
国际英语资讯:Qatar accuses UAE of repeated airspace violations