Striker could be a Euro 2020 surprise
Kevin Volland
PEOPLE AND PLACES IN THE NEWSposition on the field tended to be a
moveable feast, as likely to be stationed
out wide or “in the hole” as leading the
line. But since ex-Ajax and Dortmund
boss Peter Bosz took over mid-way
through last season, Volland is now used
only as an attacking spearhead.
At long last he has put down roots
in his best role. What’s more, Bosz’s
direct style suits him down to the ground.
Could he now be in line for a berth
in Germany’s Euro 2020 squad? Many
believe he is a genuine contender, but
there is a sticking point: Bundestrainer
Joachim Low clearly does not appearto rate him.
Volland earned the last of his 10 caps
in 2016 and, to tell the truth, never
particularly did himself justice in DFB
colours, being more than a little hesitant
and scoring on just one occasion.
“My [senior international] hopes have
died of late,” he says. “When your last
game for the national team is so long ago
you stop waiting for that phone call.”
By way of consolation, though, he
could turn to this year’s Olympic Games
in Tokyo as one of Germany’s over-age
players at the tournament.
Nick Bidwellmessages to the board. And with me, our
exchanges are natural, without anyone
grappling for power. If we make a
mistake, we make that mistake together.
We are certainly more in sync.
“Andre knows where to put his feet.
Off the pitch, he has enquired about the
youth academy and marketing plans.”
That maturity is could be tested this
summer, with financial pressure likely to
force the departures of Thauvin, whose
contract expires in 2021, and Payet.
John Holmesdale
B
ayer Leverkusen
fans should thank
their lucky stars that
the Werkself’s
in-form striker, who
recently made
headlines with an
outstanding brace in a thrilling 4-3
Bundesliga victory over Borussia
Dortmund, did not stay true to his
family’s sporting business.
Volland’s father Andreas represented
Germany at ice hockey, and growing up
in Bavaria the young Kevin showed a
great deal of promise with a stick and
a puck, only to eventually come to the
conclusion that football was his number-
one calling.
At 15 he joined the Munich 1860
youth ranks and five years later he
moved to Hoffenheim. For the last
three-and-a-half seasons, he has
featured for Leverkusen.
Now 27, the left-footed front man has
certainly been pulling out all the stops
in the last 18 months. During the 2019
calendar year he was directly involved
in 30 Bundesliga goals – with 13 of his
own and 17 assists – and is on course to
produce the same sort of numbers this
term. Little wonder a number of Premier
League sides, notably Arsenal, are on his
case at the moment. With his tiny size 3
boots, his shooting is as accurate as it is
powerful, while he also works well with
his back to goal.
Up until early last year Volland’sHeadlines...Volland
impressed against
Borussia Dortmund“When your last game for the
national team is so long ago you
stop waiting for that phone call”