Playerwatch 2006: Germany

Jürgen Klinsmann has insisted it will be hard for players not currently in his squad to make the cut for the FIFA World Cup finals, but several German youngsters want to change his mind and realise their dream of playing in the competition on home soil.

Selection questions
The likes of Marcell Jansen, Malik Fathi, Piotr Trochowski and Nando Rafael have all been in the sort of form recently that suggests Klinsmann could well have some interesting selection questions over the spring, with the pick probably VfL Borussia Mönchengladbach left-back Jansen.

Jansen claim
Jansen won his first cap in September and has made full use of Philipp Lahm's absence from the international side with cruciate ligament damage to strengthen his claim for a place in the German back four. The 20-year-old has impressed with his pace and crossing ability and is not willing to give up his place in the national side without a fight, saying: "I will continue to concentrate on my performances for the club and I am not worried by Philipp's return. He has already proved his value for Germany but I don't think I have been doing badly myself."

Fathi improvement
Jansen could be facing even more competition for a place in the final squad from Hertha BSC Berlin's Fathi. The defender of Turkish origin has been a permanent fixture for Hertha in the last two seasons and has improved his attacking ability considerably. This, added to his defensive skill, could see him promoted to the full national team sooner rather than later having already helped Germany to the UEFA European Under-21 Championship finals.

Trochowski talent
But it is not just left-backs that are coming through; in recent months talented midfielders have also managed to shine. First and foremost, Trochowski seems to finally be living up to the promise he showed in the FC Bayern München youth teams before moving to Hamburger SV in January 2005. The 22-year-old missed most of the second half of last season with an ankle injury sustained against his former club. However, since recovering he has become an important player for Hamburg with his shooting ability and his passing skill. At Hamburg he has been able to develop alongside Rafael van der Vaart and he is relishing his role.

'Interesting player'
Furthermore someone who until recently no one had considered as a World Cup candidate has burst on to the Bundesliga scene and has captured the attention of Klinsmann and his assistant Joachim Löw. Eintracht Frankfurt midfielder Alexander Meier has been in impressive form this season. His finishing skill and his technical ability have helped the newly promoted side stay clear of the relegation zone so far. "He is an interesting player," Löw admits.

Rafael threat
Up front another Hertha player has come of age recently and has showed he is capable not just of scoring goals, but of finding the net when it matters most. Angolan-born Rafael has been a regular fixture in the U21 side ever since gaining German nationality and he helped fire Dieter Eilts's side to the European Championship finals with a goals in each leg of the decisive play-off against the Czech Republic.

Kiessling impresses
Rafael's U21 strike partner Stefan Kiessling is also a player to be reckoned with. Kiessling has impressed both in the Bundesliga and when on international duty and can play at either centre forward or just behind the strikers. His talent has apparently attracted interest from Bayer 04 Leverkusen and Arsenal FC and it would be no major surprise if he was included in Klinsmann's selection.