Created on 24-07-2014 at 13:38 PM
Bayern duo Thomas Müller and Arjen Robben have both earned the coveted title of “world-class" in the new edition of the authoritative kicker German football rankings. Surveying the attacking wide player category, the renowned magazine named Müller at the top of the ranking for the first time, followed by his FCB team-mate Robben. The magazine said Müller had demonstrated his “unique nose for goal,” at the World Cup in Brazil. The 24-year-old, the citation continued, “ran, slid and dived in, generally in behind the defence, and has roared into kicker’s first place”. As for Robben, the Dutch star “underlined his extraordinary good form in Brazil (…) marrying irresistible high-speed sprints with optimum ball control”. FCB men Franck Ribéry and Mario Götze finished fourth and fifth in the rankings, the only Bundesliga players to earn the “international class" label.
Alaba tops full-back ranking
David Alaba also fared extremely well in the kicker rankings as he was placed top of the defensive wide player list for the second time in a row. “The hallmarks of the left-footed player are accurate passing, dynamism, a good mentality and a powerful shot,” kicker said, describing the Austrian as “a running machine (…) who is in any case practically out on his own in terms of physique.” Alaba was one of three players named “international class", with team-mate Rafinha finishing eighth and identified as a candidate for the international class.