In recent years, the Bundesliga has proven to be quite the breeding ground for star talents to emerge.
But not just for young, gifted players like Jadon Sancho.
There are many similarities between the German top flight and the Premier League, from a fast-paced playing style to technical quality, but there is one crucial difference which enables unlikely stars, of all ages, to appear.
Indeed, most of the clubs don’t possess the financial wealth of a small country, and that means teams are either more invested in developing what they have or when they do buy elsewhere, it’s never for massive money.
Virtually every season unheralded names come to the fore, and 2019/20 has been no different.
From the top and bottom of the Bundesliga, here’s a look at five unlikely stars to have emerged this term.
Sebastian Andersson, Union Berlin
Union Berlin’s epic first season in the Bundesliga means that any one of their formidable veterans could feature, from the set-piece magic of right-back Christopher Trimmel to the goalkeeping excellence of the gargoyle-faced Rafal Gikiewicz.
However, it’s Sebastian Andersson who rises up above them all, something he has done with incredible aplomb this season.
The 28-year-old Swede has scored 11 times in 2019/20, six of which via his head, is a league high.
His dominance has seen him win the most duels and headed duels in the Bundesliga and the focal point he provides has been pivotal to Union’s establishment in mid-table for their first historic season.
Christopher Nkunku, RB Leipzig
Paris Saint-Germain are bedazzled with football jewels, but the French giants have let a real diamond slip from their grasp.
Christopher Nkunku was a bit-part player with the Parisians with his versatility meaning he was largely used to fill any necessary holes.
At RB Leipzig, though, he’s carving out a more permanent role thanks to his strong challenge to the assist king thrown.
The 22-year-old has developed at warp speed under Julian Nagelsmann this season, providing 12 Bundesliga assists – a mark betterered only by Thomas Muller and Sancho.
His 16 goal contributions this campaign means he has almost tripled his total (14) in the same number of games (23) for PSG last term.
That versatility has seen him bounce from position to position still, but his blurring speed, crisp passing and worldie goal ability – see finishes against Bayer Leverkusen and Borussia Monchengladbach for evidence – have fixed him to the starting XI.
Alphonso Davies, Bayern Munich
Alphonso Davies’ inclusion is multifaceted. For one, he’s taken the Bundesliga by storm in a completely new position.
The Canadian was bought from the Vancouver Whitecaps as a left-winger and is now one of the best attacking left-backs in Europe.
Secondly, he’s a social media star thanks to a comedic streak which has been illuminated by his brilliant acting and singing skills.
This all the while as a 19-year-old at one of the biggest clubs in the world, Bayern Munich.
Few would have predicted such a meteoric rise last summer, but Davies has been magnificent, blending precision passing, confidence on the ball, piercing pace and a tremendous defensive work ethic.
Naturally, positional issues remain but that’s entirely understandable and countered by his four league assists, bettered only by Achraf Hakimi and Christopher Trimmel among defenders.
Florian Niederlechner, Augsburg
No player from outside the Bundesliga’s top three clubs has contributed to more goals than Augsburg’s Florian Niederlechner.
His 11 goals and six assists places the German striker in rarefied air considering these contributions have arrived at a relegation-battling side.
He’s had a direct hand in almost half of Augsburg’s goals this season (47%) and considering the 29-year-old was still playing amateur football in his 20s, he’s proven to be a bit of a late bloomer.
Save for an 11-goal haul in 2016/17, injuries curtailed his impact at Freiburg but a summer switch to Augsburg has brought the best out of him.
The highlight arrived in December when he assisted three and won a penalty in his side’s 4-2 win at Hoffenheim.
But he’s been a leader all season, running sharply in transition to become a provider and then running at the opposition to defend from the front.
Patrik Schick, RB Leipzig
Another Leipzig inclusion which is symbolic of their rather surprising, albeit slightly fading, title challenge this season.
Other contenders like strikers Rouwen Hennings of Fortuna Dusseldorf and Mainz’s Robin Quaison are worthy of mention but Schick’s reinvigoration at Leipzig warrants attention.
The lanky Czech forward is on loan from Roma having endured two nightmare seasons in the Italian capital through little game time and injury hell.
There are never any guarantees when a young player is in recovery at a time when he should be blossoming, however, the 24-year-old has fired out a timely reminder of his quality this season.
Injuries kept him out of the early goings but in 15 games since he’s plundered seven times and added two assists.
No longer ‘damaged goods’, his athleticism, technique and back-to-goal prowess has made him a perfect foil to Timo Werner.
