Germany contains a lot of household names in its team this summer for Euro 2020 like Thomas Mueller, Serge Gnabry, Joshua Kimmich, Kai Havertz, Timo Werner and Manuel Neuer. Their quality means that they are still likely to qualify from their group that contains the likes of World Champions France and defending champions Portugal.
They have reached at least the semi-finals in the Euros nine times – a record that is unmatched – and are the most successful team in Europe in terms of total number of trophies won.
🎙️ Robin #Gosens on the #U21EURO: "We're over the moon for the boys. I absolutely back them to win the title. We wish them all the best and will certainly be watching it. They are role models for us going into the tournament."#DieMannschaft #EURO2020 pic.twitter.com/n7AQKGHJdn
— Germany (@DFB_Team_EN) June 4, 2021
In the midst of all this, it is easy to overlook talented, young players who will be taking the mantle from the current generation of players in the coming years.
One such prodigious talent is the 24-year old midfielder Florian Neuhaus. FootTheBall takes a look at the Borussia Monchengladbach player and what he brings to the table for Die Mannschaft.
FLORIAN NEUHAUS – GERMANY’S DIAMOND IN THE ROUGH
A Bavarian native, Neuhaus was born just 40 miles out of the state’s capital Munich and joined the ranks of players in the youth academy of 1860 Munich. He joined Monchengladbach in the summer of 2017 as a 20-year old and was immediately loaned to Fortuna Dusseldorf.
During the 2017-18 season he won the German second division with Dusseldorf. He scored 6 goals and delivered 3 assists as Dusseldorf earned promotion to the German top flight.
In late 2019 he put pen to paper on a contract extension with Borussia Monchengladbach that is set to keep him with Die Borussen until 2024.
He impressed for Mochengladbach during this past season in both the German league and cup tournaments. The 24-year old scored 6 goals and delivered the same amount of assists in the German top flight, while he was involved in 4 goals (2 goals and 2 assists) in as many games in the German Cup for Die Fohlen.
NEUHAUS IN GERMANY’S EURO 2020 SQUAD
The 24-year old was called up to the Die Mannschaft set-up by Joachim Loew in September 2020 in recognition of his excellent performances at club level. He got on the score sheet for the Germans in the friendly with Turkey in October 2020 and recently scored the Germans’ only goal in their match with Denmark
Midfield heavyweights like Leon Goretzka (injury), Toni Kroos (Covid-19) and Ilkay Gundogan (rest after UEFA Champions League final) were absent from the match with Denmark and Neuhaus took the opportunity to impress Loew with both hands.
After the match Loew was all praise for the former 1860 Munich player. “(Neuhaus) played a good game and did a lot of leg work. He also made his way back (defensively). It is important that the players do not let up and keep the pressure up”
“Flo is a very good footballer with a good eye. I am very satisfied with him” he added. And Neuhaus will be with Joachim Loew and company for this summer’s Euros.
He was highly creative and clinical in Die Mannschaft’s match with Denmark and will certainly be getting minutes on the pitch at Euro 2020, albeit through cameo appearances from the bench most likely.
But the future looks bright for both Germany and Florian Neuhaus if one looks at the young talent that is available for selection at both Euro 2020 and future international tournaments.
How are you feeling, Germany fans? 😆#U21EURO pic.twitter.com/yhA5epaOSV
— UEFA U21 EURO (@UEFAUnder21) June 3, 2021
With the likes of Jamal Musiala and Florian Wirtz waiting in the wings for Die Mannschaft, their future is in safe hands one can say.
NEUHAUS COURTED BY TOP CLUBS ACROSS EUROPE
Florian Neuhaus has been strongly linked with a move back to his native Bavaria to join German champions Bayern Munich in the summer of 2022.
“I said that I felt comfortable in Gladbach. A new club has to surpass this feeling first. I am not committed to one club. The overall package has to be right. I am open to everything” said Neuhaus about the transfer speculation.
The 24-year old has played down the rumours until now with respect to his potential move to Bayern Munich, but in the past too he was linked with the likes of Liverpool and Real Madrid.
And a strong showing at Euro 2020 will definitely raise the Borussia Monchengladbach man’s stock this summer in Europe
