Kicker ratings winter 2017

Even though kicker has been around forever-I think it is probably the first soccer magazine I ever read- I rarely ever agree with kicker ratings, be it for games or for these lists.  This year's "rangeliste" is no different.  What makes a World Class player in their rankings?  Granted the Bundesliga has become a selling league in the last few years and only Bayern have any decent players anymore, but this year there is only one World Class player and you probably would never guess who it is, I know I didn't.  I will give you a hint, he does not play in the Bundesliga.

Anyhow, if nothing else, fun to read during the winter break and this year with more foreign content.

In brackets the player's position in the previous ranking (Summer 2017).

Goalkeepers and Defenders


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Goalkeepers


Weltklasse (World Class)

none


Internationale Klasse (International Class)

1. Péter Gulácsi / HUN / RB Leipzig (IWK-11)
2. Lukas Hradecky / FIN / Eintracht Frankfurt (IWK-10)
3. Sven Ulreich / GER / Bayern München (-)
4. Oliver Baumann / GER / Hoffenheim (IK-7)
5. Jiří Pavlenka / CZE / Werder Bremen (-)


Im weiteren Kreis ('on the periphery', 'broad circle')

6. Ralf Fährmann / GER / Schalke 04 (IK-5)
7. Timo Horn / GER / 1. FC Köln (IK-4)
8. Rune Jarstein / NOR / Hertha BSC (IWK-13)
9. Koen Casteels / BEL / Wolfsburg (-)
10. René Adler / GER / FSV Mainz 05 (-)
11. Bernd Leno / GER / Bayer Leverkusen (IK-2)
12. Ron-Robert Zieler / GER / Stuttgart (-)
13. Alexander Schwolow / GER / SC Freiburg (IWK-12)


Blickfeld ('focus', 'considered'; unranked)

Roman Bürki / SUI / Borussia Dortmund (IK-
Marvin Hitz / SUI / Augsburg (-)
Yann Sommer / SUI / Mönchengladbach (IK-3)


No Neuer, so no world  class keeper in the league, but they think that Gulasci is the best, they even have Sven Ulreich in the international class? Come on, yes he has got a bit better as the season went on, but he was terrible.  From what i have seen, probably Timo Horn has been the best, but that could be down to playing for Koln and having more work to do than any other keeper


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Central Defenders


Weltklasse (World Class)

none


Internationale Klasse (International Class)

1. Mats Hummels / GER / Bayern München (IK-1)
2. Naldo / BRA / Schalke 04 (-)


Im weiteren Kreis ('on the periphery', 'broad circle')

3. Niklas Süle / GER / Bayern München (IK-2)
4. Jonathan Tah / GER / Bayer Leverkusen (-)
5. Abdou Diallo / FRA / FSV Mainz 05 (-)
6. Jérôme Boateng / GER / Bayern München (-)
7. Benjamin Pavard / FRA / Stuttgart (-)
8. Holger Badstuber / GER / Stuttgart (-)
9. Dayot Upamecano / FRA / RB Leipzig (-)
10. Salif Sané / SEN / Hannover 96 (-)
11. Kevin Vogt / GER / Hoffenheim (IWK-11)
12. David Abraham / ARG / Eintracht Frankfurt (-)
13. Jeffrey Gouweleeuw / Augsburg (B)
14. Felix Uduokhai / GER / Wolfsburg (-)
15. Karim Rekik / NED / Hertha BSC (-)
16. Willi Orban / GER / RB Leipzig (IWK-
17. Dominique Heintz / GER / 1. FC Köln (IWK-12)


Blickfeld ('focus', 'considered'; unranked)

Waldemar Anton / GER / Hannover 96 (-)
Sven Bender / GER / Bayer Leverkusen (-)
Matthias Ginter / GER / Mönchengladbach (-)
Benjamin Hübner / GER / Hoffenheim (IWK-4)
Robin Koch / GER / SC Freiburg (-)
Dominic Maroh / SLO / 1. FC Köln (-)
Niklas Moisander / FIN / Werder Bremen (B)
Matija Nastasić / SRB / Schalke 04 (-)
Kyriakos Papadopoulos / GRE / Hamburger SV (IWK-5)
Sokratis Papastathopoulos / GRE / Borussia Dortmund (IWK-6)

That seems like one long list!
Naldo has been good, he seems to score important goals every time I see him play.  Maybe not the greatest "defensive" defender, but he has been good on the attacking side, not to mention I like any player who is older than me- I think he is about 54 years old now?


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Fullbacks


Weltklasse (World Class)

none


Internationale Klasse (International Class)

1. Joshua Kimmich / GER / Bayern München (-)
2. Philipp Max / GER / Augsburg (-)


Im weiteren Kreis ('on the periphery', 'broad circle')

3. Łukasz Piszczek / POL / Borussia Dortmund (IWK-6)
4. Daniel Caligiuri / GER / Schalke 04 (-)
5. Pavel Kadeřábek / CZE / Hoffenheim (-)
6. Marius Wolf / GER / Eintracht Frankfurt (-)
7. Marcel Halstenberg / GER / RB Leipzig (IWK-10)
8. David Alaba / AUT / Bayern München (IWK-3)
9. Wendell / BRA / Bayer Leverkusen (-)


Blickfeld ('focus', 'considered'; unranked)

Dennis Diekmeier / GER / Hamburger SV (-)
Christian Günter / GER / SC Freiburg (B)
Julian Korb / GER / Hannover 96 (-)
Marvin Plattenhardt / GER / Hertha BSC (IWK-5)
Mitchell Weiser / GER / Hertha BSC (-)


Not much to say, I think Kimmich is a great player and Alaba has not had a great season...yet.


Defensive Midfielders


Weltklasse (World Class)

none


Internationale Klasse (International Class)


1. Javi Martínez / ESP / Bayern München (IK-3 Central Defenders)
2. Lars Bender / GER / Bayer Leverkusen (-)
3. Charles Aránguiz / CHI / Bayer Leverkusen (-)


Im weiteren Kreis ('on the periphery', 'broad circle')

4. Jean-Philippe Gbamin / CIV / FSV Mainz 05 (-)
5. Naby Keïta / GUI / RB Leipzig (IK-1)
6. Max Meyer / GER / Schalke 04 (-)
7. Santiago Ascacíbar / ARG / VfB Stuttgart (-)
8. Kevin-Prince Boateng / GHA / Eintracht Frankfurt (-)
9. Daniel Baier / GER / FC Augsburg (B)
10. Dennis Geiger / GER / Hoffenheim (-)
11. Denis Zakaria / SUI / Mönchengladbach (-)
12. Sebastian Rudy / GER / Bayern München (IK-2)
13. Christoph Kramer / GER / Mönchengladbach (IWK-7)
14. Rani Khedira / GER / FC Augsburg (-)


Blickfeld ('foucs', 'considered'; unranked)

Philipp Bargfrede / GER / Werder Bremen (-)
Thomas Delaney / DEN / Werder Bremen (IWK-3)
Diego Demme / GER / RB Leipzig (IWK-5)
Maximilian Eggestein / GER / Werder Bremen (B)
Christian Gentner / GER / VfB Stuttgart (-)
Joshua Guilavogui / FRA / VfL Wolfsburg (-)
Makoto Hasebe / JAP / Eintracht Frankfurt (-)
Niclas Höfler / GER / SC Freiburg (-)
Dominik Kohr / GER / Bayer Leverkusen (-)
Nuri Şahin / TUR / Borussia Dortmund (-)
Pirmin Schwegler / SUI / Hannover 96 (-)
Suat Serdar / GER / FSV Mainz 05 (-)
Per Skjelbred / NOR / Hertha BSC (-)

It is hard for me to rate Javi Martinez.  I know a lot ot people think he is the greatest player of all time, but he just looks so clumsy to me.



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Offensive Midfielders


Weltklasse (World Class)

none


Internationale Klasse (International Class)

1. Marcel Sabitzer / AUT / RB Leipzig (IWK-9)


Im weiteren Kreis ('on the periphery', 'broad circle')

2. Michael Gregoritsch / AUT / FC Augsburg (-)
3. Amine Harit / MAR / Schalke 04 (-)
4. Thomas Müller / GER / Bayern München (IWK-5)
5. Kevin Kampl / SLO / RB Leipzig (-)
6. Leon Goretzka / GER / Schalke 04 (IWK-6)
7. James Rodríguez / COL / Bayern München (-)
8. Daniel Didavi / GER / VfL Wolfsburg (-)
9. Kai Havertz / GER / Bayer Leverkusen (IWK-
10. Emil Forsberg / SWE / RB Leipzig (IK-1)
11. Mario Götze / GER / Borussia Dortmund (-)
12. Kerem Demirbay / GER / Hoffenheim (IWK-3)
13. Thiago Alcántara / ESP / Bayern München (IK-2)
14. Nadiem Amiri / GER / Hoffenheim (B)


Blickfeld ('foucs', 'considered'; unranked)

Janik Haberer / GER / SC Freiburg (B wingers)
Shinji Kagawa / JAP / Borussia Dortmund (IWK-7)
Yunus Mallı / TUR / VfL Wolfsburg (-)
Corentin Tolisso / FRA / Bayern München (-)
Arturo Vidal / CHI / Bayern München (IWK-6 Defensive Midfielders)


I think we all know Austrians make the best attacking midfeilders, always have.


Wingers

Weltklasse (World Class)

none


Internationale Klasse (International Class)

1. Leon Bailey / JAM / Bayer Leverkusen (-)
2. Kingsley Coman / FRA / Bayern München (-)
3. Arjen Robben / NED / Bayern München (WK-1)
4. Thorgan Hazard / BEL / Mönchengladbach (B)


Im weiteren Kreis ('on the periphery', 'broad circle')

5. Julian Brandt / GER / Bayer Leverkusen (-)
6. Maximilian Philipp / GER / Borussia Dortmund (IWK-
7. Caiuby / BRA / FC Augsburg (-)
8. Christian Pulisic / USA / Borussia Dortmund (IWK-9)


Blickfeld ('focus', 'considered'; unranked)

Chadrac Akolo / COD / VfB Stuttgart (-)
Ihlas Bebou / TOG / Hannover 96 (-)
Salomon Kalou / CIV / Hertha BSC (-)
Yevhen Konoplyanka / UKR / Schalke 04 (-)
Matthew Leckie / AUS / Hertha BSC (-)
Andriy Yarmolenko / UKR / Borussia Dortmund (-)


Leon bailey seems to be the new hearthrob, apparently on his way to the EPL, not sure if he is as good as they make him out to be?
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Strikers


Weltklasse (World Class)

none


Internationale Klasse (International Class)

1. Robert Lewandowski / POL / Bayern München (WK-1)
2. Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang / GAB / Borussia Dortmund (WK-2)
3. Timo Werner / GER / RB Leipzig (IK-4)
4. Mark Uth / GER / Hoffenheim (-)


Im weiteren Kreis ('on the periphery', 'broad circle')

5. Alfreð Finnbogason / ISL / FC Augsburg (-)
6. Kevin Volland / GER / Bayer Leverkusen (B)
7. Guido Burgstaller / AUT / Schalke 04 (IK-9)
8. Lars Stindl / GER / Mönchengladbach (IK-
9. Nils Petersen / GER / SC Freiburg (-)
10. Max Kruse / GER / Werder Bremen (IK-3)
11. Davie Selke / GER / Hertha BSC (-)
12. Sandro Wagner / GER / Hoffenheim (B)
13. Ante Rebić / CRO / Eintracht Frankfurt (B Wingers)


Blickfeld ('focus', 'considered'; unranked)

Lucas Alario / ARG / Bayer Leverkusen (-)
Jean-Kévin Augustin / FRA / RB Leipzig (-)
Niclas Füllkrug / GER / Hannover 96 (-)
Sébastien Haller / FRA / Eintracht Frankfurt (-)
Martin Harnik / AUT / Hannover 96 (-)
Andrej Kramarić / CRO / Hoffenheim (IK-6)
Raffael / BRA / Mönchengladbach (IWK-14)



No surprise that Lewandowski is the top ranked, kicker loves that guy.
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Germans Abroad  (sorted by position)

new criterion: divided between 'Spitzenklasse' (Top Leagues) - ENG, ESP, ITA
and FRA - and 'Mittelklasse' (Average Leagues) - all other top divisions
plus 2nd leagues from the above countries


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Top Leagues


Weltklasse (World Class)

Marc-André Ter Stegen / Barcelona (IK)


Internationale Klasse (International Class)

Toni Kroos / Real Madrid (WK)
Sami Khedira / Juventus (IK)
Leroy Sané / Manchester City (IK)


Im weiteren Kreis ('on the periphery', 'broad circle')

Antonio Rüdiger / Chelsea (IWK)
Christopher Schindler / Huddersfield (-)
Emre Can / Liverpool (IWK)
İlkay Gündoğan / Manchester City (-)
Mesut Özil / Arsenal (IWK)
Julian Draxler / Paris Saint-Germain (IWK)
Pascal Groß / Brighton & Hove Albion (-)


Blickfeld ('focus', 'considered')

Shkodran Mustafi / Arsenal (IWK)

And there you have it, ter Stegen is World Class.  I guess he has become better... I think?
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Average Leagues


Herausragend ('Excellent')

Alexander Walke / RB Salzburg (B)
Serdar Taşçı / Spartak Moscow (B)
Daniel Schwaab / PSV (-)
Benedikt Röcker / Brøndby (B)
Tolgay Arslan / Beşiktaş (-)
Hany Mukhtar / Brøndby (B)
Julian Gressel / Atlanta United (-)


Blickfeld ('focus', 'considered')

Lars Unnerstall / VVV-Venlo (-)
Felix Wiedwald / Leeds United (IK-6 Bundesliga)
Christian Schulz / Sturm Graz (-)
Christoph Zimmermann / Norwich City (-)
Bastian Schweinsteiger / Chicago Fire (B)
Rico Strieder / FC Utrecht (-)
Marko Marin / Olympiacos (B)
Reinhold Yabo / RB Salzburg (-)
Amin Younes / Ajax (IWK)
Pierre-Michel Lassoga / Leeds United (-)
Lukas Podolski / Vissel Kobe (B)

OK, I admit, I was 99.9% sure that the World Class player was going to be Marko Marin.

I'm confused, why isn't Neuer on the list?

he is injured i think, they rate the level of those who are playing, which is a fair way to assess players.

No Weltklasse in bundesfodder this season, disappointing. surprised to see Harit ranked so high, and disappointed Thiago is not dominating this season like he did previously.

Great Leader Sprucenuce wrote:I'm confused, why isn't Neuer on the list?

He is injured, played a only a couple of games

is there any debate in germany about Bernd Leno not living up to expectations?

Mr Nick09 wrote:is there any debate in germany about Bernd Leno not living up to expectations?

Not that I am aware of, I think his demise has been slow enough that it has more or less gone unnoticed. Sort of like Rene Adler. Having said that, he still is the starter for Leverkuesen.

Great Leader Sprucenuce wrote:I'm confused, why isn't Neuer on the list?

Mr Nick09 wrote:he is injured i think, they rate the level of those who are playing, which is a fair way to assess players.

No Weltklasse in bundesfodder this season, disappointing. surprised to see Harit ranked so high, and disappointed Thiago is not dominating this season like he did previously.

I think there's a couple of things to keep in mind about this ranking:

1. It only concerns itself with Bundesliga, and then 'Germans playing abroad' as an extra category.

2. There's two rankings done every year, one in summer and one in winter, so each ranking is about a half-season.
This ranking ("Winter 17/18") is only about the first half of Bundesliga 17/18, NOT about the whole year.

3. It strictly applies to the performances of the respective period, i.e. it is not about how 'good a player is' according to kicker, but how well he performed precisely in the first half of the 17/18 season as judged by the kicker staff.

4. The terminology ('world class', 'international class', 'focus') is still the same as in the first kicker issue the ranking was done, which was in 1956.

5. The ranking is based on the grades kicker awards to players after each BuLi game, plus Cup/CL games if applicable. In order to be ranked, players need to have played nine or more competitive games that were graded (i.e. longer than, say, 20 minutes).


So, Neuer isn't in it because he was injured and didn't play 9 games, not nearly.

In order to be ranked 'World Class', kicker usually factors in some kind of permances at top level in European or international games. A good showing in CL knockouts, or the World Cup, will make it more likely for a player to be ranked 'WC', so this winter it's no wonder there's none of them. They are generally notoriously stingy with the 'WC'  label.
Here's a summary of the 2010s https://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rangliste_des_deutschen_Fu%C3%9Fballs/2010er

If you look at 2000s, for example, there's not a single player ranked as 'World Class' for years and years https://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rangliste_des_deutschen_Fu%C3%9Fballs/2000er


Thiago's ranking suffers from the fact that the whole team performed poorly under Ancelotti, and he got injured soon after Jupp came (he performed great the first couple of games under Jupp, double pivot Martinez-Thiago).
As said above, the ranking is strictly limited to these last 6 months.

Generally speaking, the fact they criminally underrate for example Özil compared to Khedira or even Sané (no offense to Juve or Khedira, but pls) gives you a hint how seriously this is to be taken.
Especially the 'Germans abroad' category regularly exposes a lack of judgement on kicker's part about the football outside of Bundesliga.

As for Leno, as elfer says his descent in the general perception has been slow, but I wouldn't say gone unnoticed.
Noone in Germany considers him a real NT challenger to Ter Stegen, let alone Neuer anymore, and noone is lobbying for him.
He's not 'terrible', mind you. He's still good.

Thanks for the lengthy explanation I don't attach much value to it but rankings always help figure out if you
Are missing out on someone that might be worth following. So far this season it doesn't look great

As for Leno I'm sure he is good I just remember a time when he was 1b and Mats was 1a... Now he is like b