Bundesliga 2016/17: Top 10 Players
With just two Bundesliga games remaining, every team but Bayern Munich and Darmstadt have something to play for, be it a place in next season’s European competitions or fighting against relegation.
Bayern Munich may have clinched their fifth consecutive Bundesliga title, but what has happened below them on the table is nothing but extraordinary. In RB Leipzig’s first season in the top flight, they’ve now qualified for the Champions League, whilst we see many of Germany’s past giants such as Bayer Leverkusen and Schalke down at the bottom end.
TSG 1899 Hoffenheim under Julian Nagelsmann has provided a breath of fresh air as they remain the only unbeaten side at home this season. Once again, Hamburger SV occupy the relegation play-off, but with just seven points separating Ingolstadt in 17th and Bayer Leverkusen in 12th, anything could happen.
Once against Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Robert Lewandowski went head-to-head to finish at the top of the scoring charts. Cologne’s Anthony Modeste, however, has battled them all the way with 25 goals in 32 games.
With that being said, here is a list of the top ten players in the Bundesliga this term in no specific order.
#10 Jonas Hector
Mr. Consistent has missed just six league games for Cologne since they were promoted back to the Bundesliga in 2014. Now, he’s become one of Germany’s most reliable players. Although a left-back by trade, Hector has shown his versatility and the ability to play in centre-midfield – where he’s played much of the 2016/17 season for Cologne.
His ever-improving performances in the Bundesliga has attracted the attention of Liverpool and Manchester City in the past, whilst it’s likely Europe’s top clubs will come calling once against in the summer.,whether Cologne finish in a European place could determine the outcome of his future.
#9 Lars Stindl
The only Borussia Mönchengladbach player on this list, Lars Stindl is Dieter Hecking’s most important player and arguably the first name on the teamsheet when fit. His 11 goals this season is his best to date as his importance can be gauged by the fact that Gladbach have lost just two games when he’s either scored or assisted. There’s no doubting that when he’s on the pitch, die Fohlen look a much more complete side.
Going forward, Stindl could offer Joachim Löw something different in the national team with the retiring Lukas Podolski. At 28-years-old, Stindl is now entering the prime of his career. Playing predominantly as a support striker, Stindl’s late runs into the box cause the some of the Bundesliga’s best defences problems.