World Soccer - UK (2020-02)

AUG 7, 2015

Joins West Bromwich
Albion on a season-
long loan – but is
recalled in January
after a lack of
first-team action.

AUG 20, 2016

Wins a silver medal

as Germany lose to

Brazil on penalties in

the Olympic Final

in Rio.

AUG 31, 2016

Signs for Werder

Bremen.

SEP 17, 2016

Scores his first goal

in German football

as Bremen lose

4-1 at Borussia

Monchengladbach.

first coach to point the finger at Gnabry

for not always paying attention to his

fitness as his Germany under-17 boss,

Stefan Boger, had once made a similar

critique of the youngster.

It says much for the competence of

Bayern’s strength-and-conditioning staff

that Gnabry had until recently been injury

free in his first 18 months at the Allianz-

Arena. Hence his core role in the side’s

attacking potency, contributing 24 goals

and 17 assists. However, the Achilles-

tendon injury sustained during Bayern’s

winter-break training camp in Doha is a

sign that no one can rest on their laurels.

Although he is plainly box office these

days, certain figures in the Bayern

hierarchy seemed more than a little

surprised to see him settle in so quickly.

“When he returned to us after his spell

at Hoffenheim we thought we’d take a

look at him and see whether we’d play

him,” former club president Uli Hoeness

explained to Kicker last April. “Now he’s a

regular starter, is having a lot of fun and

is the biggest revelation of the season.”

Every time Gnabry plays for Bayern he

looks totally energised by the challenge

and responsibility. He clearly loves

operating in the rarified air at the top

of the mountain.

Yet do not make the mistake of

thinking that Bayern are the ones who

have moulded him into a world-beater.

Much of that credit must go to former

coach Nagelsmann, who improved his

Injured...

against

Hanover

Serge Gnabry