The very best from the German top tier.
With the 2014/15 Bundesliga season in full flow CaughtOffside thought it was the right time to select our top 20 players from the German top tier.
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20. Lars Bender, Bayer Leverkusen
The defensive midfielder is one of the unsung heroes who sits in front of the back four and allows the more creative talents to flourish.
19. Roberto Firmino, Hoffenheim
Still only 22-years-old this Brazilian has been drawing many headlines with his fine performances which see him score and assist bagfuls of goals.
18. Ricardo Rodriguez, Wolfsburg
Many are taking notice of this young left-back who has shown with club and country that he is a full-back perfectly equipped for the modern game of mixing defence with attack.
17. Mehdi Benatia, Bayern Munich
Signed from AS Roma this summer the Morocco international greatly impressed in Serie A in 2013/14 and will be looking to transfer that form to the Allianz Arena.
16. Klaas-Jan Huntelaar, Schalke 04
A veteran striker now, but has lost none of his skills to lead the line and score and would be welcomed into the starting XI of most teams across Europe.
15. Javi Martinez, Bayern Munich
Has been adapted by head coach Pep Guardiola to operate as a centre-back, but the Spaniard is a midfielder by trade and looks utterly at ease in either role.
14. Stefan Kiessling, Bayer Leverkusen
Falling out with the national team management may have reduced this caps for Germany, but this striker is still an immense talent for Leverkusen.
13. Henrikh Mkhitaryan, Borussia Dortmund
Signed from Shakhtar Donetsk in 2013 as top-scorer in Ukraine despite being an attacking midfielder and has continued that good form in Germany.
12. Mario Gotze, Bayern Munich
Had a brilliant summer after scoring the winning goal in the 2014 World Cup final and is developing nicely under the guidance of Guardiola.
11. Xabi Alonso, Bayern Munich
Snapped up from Real Madrid over the summer and will be looking to bring his class and passing style to a new division.
10. David Alaba, Bayern Munich
It’s easy to forget this left-back is still so young considering how well he has developed and good realistically be considered the best in his position in the world currently.
9. Mats Hummels, Borussia Dortmund
Was actually rejected by Bayern as a youngster, but now at the Westfalenstadion the Germany international has flourished and is considered one of the finest centre-backs in the game.
8. Thomas Muller, Bayern Munich
An often underrated forward the goalscoring record and strong work ethic of Muller suggests he should be held in a much higher regard.
7. Franck Ribery, Bayern Munich
May have dropped down in form since he was nominated for the Ballon d’Or earlier in 2014, but this winger is still an immense talent.
6. Robert Lewandowski, Bayern Munich
There was controversy over the summer as for the second year running Dortmund lost a key star to their rivals and Lewandowski is looking to prove he was worth the hassle.
5. Bastian Schweinsteiger, Bayern Munich
A dominant force in midfield this German dictates play and is the epitome of a box-to-box midfielder.
4. Manuel Neuer, Bayern Munich
Widely regarded as the best goalkeeper in the world after his performances in recent times for both club and country.
3. Philipp Lahm, Bayern Munich
Originally a full-back who was equally skilled on the right or left, this 30-year-old has further proven his talent in recent times by moving into defensive midfield in Guardiola’s XI.
2. Marco Reus, Borussia Dortmund
Moving away from Bayern briefly and it’s a forward who has shown he is among the best in the game currently with his attacking flair and creativity.
1. Arjen Robben, Bayern Munich
One of the most one dimensional players in the sport and yet his pace and trickery means it works almost every time and Robben is a true world-class performer.