BERLIN, June 7-- Manuel Neuer (33/86 caps), Marco Reus (30/39) and Ilkay Guendogan (28/31) might feel like "old hands" when turning up for breakfast in the German national team's hotel in advance of the 2020 Euro qualifiers against Belarus this Saturday and Estonia next Tuesday. Although the experienced trio have been through a lot with their clubs Bayern Munich, Borussia Dortmund and Manchester City, they now face a new challenge as they look to lead the bunch of German youngsters into a new era. But how much leadership of the "old hands" does the newly formed squad need? Aren't the emerging performers such as Joshua Kimmich (24), Serge Gnabry (23), Leon Goretzka (24), Niklas Suele (23/all Bayern Munich), Kai Havertz (19), Jonathan Tah (23/both Bayer Leverkusen), Timo Werner (23/RB Leipzig), Thilo Kehrer (22/Paris St Germain) and Leroy Sane (Manchester City) prepared to take over? Goalkeeper Neuer (Bayern) and striker Reus (Borussia Dortmund) claim they intend to provide stability to their young and in some cases inexperienced side. Premier League champion Guendogan pretty much sounds like his older teammates in his attempt to give the new structure his full support. Not to forget about 49 times capped Julian Draxler. The Paris St Germain midfielder is Germany's most capped player after Neuer yet is only 25 years old. Legends like Jerome Boateng, Mats Hummels, and Thomas Mueller were dropped by national coach Loew, who is replaced for the two games by assistant coach Marcus Sorg (53) due to injury. |