In second place this season is the Bundesliga, the first of Europe’s top divisions to restart, it has now finished, with an outstanding FC Bayern coming out with their 8th consecutive Bundesliga title, although Borussia Dortmund, Borussia Mönchengladbach and RB Leipzig all putting forward meaningful title challenges over the course of the season. It has been a season rife with outstanding individuals, and here we look at the 2019/20 Bundesliga team of the season.
Goalkeeper: Yann Sommer, Borussia Mönchengladbach
While they finished the Hinrunde on top of the Bundesliga, Borussa Mönchengladbach and Marco Rose will be more than happy with a 4th place finish and champions league football this season. One of the main reasons why they have achieved this is the impressive form of Switzerland international Yann Sommer between the sticks. No goalkeeper has made more saves than Sommer this season, somewhat surprising considering how high in the table Gladbach are, they have conceded the third fewest goals in the Bundesliga this season with 40, although by xG they have only the 5th best in the division, with a xGA of 46.05 (understat), meaning that because of Sommer, they have conceded 6 fewer than expected. Sommer has only kept 7 clean sheets in the Bundesliga this season (footystats), but it is fair to say that with a different keeper that would be considerably fewer. This was a challenging pick, with Manuel Neuer and Rafal Gikiewicz considered, but I think that Die Fohlen would not be playing in Europe’s premier competition if it were not for Sommer.
Left Back: Alphonso Davies, FC Bayern Munich
Almost certainly the single biggest surprise package of the season, at the start of the season it is fair to say that very few would have predicted that young Canadian Alphonso Davies would be one of the finest left backs in world football, but that is exactly what has occurred. With 5 assists in the Bundesliga this season, Davies has been very impressive this season going forward, with 1 key pass a game, and 0.17 xA per 90 (understat), better than his main competition for this role, Ramy Bensebaïni. He is top in the Bayern squad for tackles per 90 in the Bundesliga with 2.4, he also makes 1.1 interceptions and 1.2 clearances per game, 5th and 6th in the squad respectively (understat). Despite these qualities, it is obvious that Davies’ primary asset is his immense pace, having notched up the fastest ever recorded speed in Bundesliga history away against Werder Bremen, with an obscene 22.7 miles per hour. This pace allows Davies to go forward and create, as he is unlikely to be caught out on a counter. This does suggest that the 19 year old does still have work to do before being a truly elite fullback, as he often relies on his speed to make up for his positioning, although the boy has been spectacular this season.
Centre Back: Dayot Upamecano, RB Leipzig
You would be forgiven for thinking that Julian Nagelsmann’s high tempo, attacking football puts the defence as a low priority, but the Red Bulls have conceded 37 this season, second in the Bundesliga, also with the second best xGA (understat), this is largely thanks to the impressive form of French centre back, Dayot Upamecano. No player has made more ball recoveries than Upamecano in the BuLi this term with 187 (squawka), this shows his impressive speed and stamina, as he is a player who often carries the ball out of his penalty area, with 1 dribble per 90, best among Bundesliga centre backs, and 5th in the Leipzig squad (whoscored), showing that this unusual ability (for a centre back) is one of his primary assets. He is also very impressive when playing the ball out, with 70.1 passes per 90, 10th in the Bundesliga, and best in the Leipzig squad. With 1.9 tackles he is 3rd in the squad, and 1.5 interceptions also 3rd among Leipzig players (whoscored), he is far from lazy. Upamecano has been one of Europe’s finest centre backs this season, and his unique play style also contributes to his being so coveted, at 21, the Frenchman has a great future ahead.
Centre Back: Mats Hummels, Borussia Dortmund
I myself was very sceptical about Dortmund’s repurchase of Mats Hummels from Bayern this summer, but I think it’s fair to say that that move has paid off. While Dortmund’s defence has been far from outstanding this season, Hummels has been vital. Obviously, Mats Hummels’ primary strength is his passing, unsurprisingly he ranks top among outfield players for long balls in the BuLi this season, his passes from deep have been vital for Dortmund going forward this season, his 73.5 is the most passes per 90 among the Dortmund squad, and 6th in the division (whoscored), once again showing his importance when building from the back. He comes 2nd in the Dortmund squad for both tackles and interceptions per 90 with 1.8 and 1.9 respectively, showing that his role this season has been often to step out of defence and deal with onrushing attackers, something that his experience will have helped in. Hummels is by no means past it. As much as many may tell you otherwise, he remains a key player for Dortmund, and he has proved doubters wrong with his impressive showings this season.
Right Back: Kevin Mbabu, Vfl Wolfsburg
Before making the list, I was near certain that I would be picking Borussia Dortmund’s Achraf Hakimi for this position, but after analysing Bundesliga right backs, it became clear that it is Kevin Mbabu, not Hakimi who has been the best in the Bundesliga this season. Defensively, the Switzerland international has been brilliant in the Bundesliga this season, with his 3.5 tackles the most in the league, he is 4th in the Wolfsburg squad for clearances (whoscored). This shows that he has impressed defensively in his first season in the Bundesliga. Creatively, Mbabu obviously lags behind Hakimi’s 10 assist with 3, but with an xA per 90 of 0.14, this is only 0.04 less than Hakimi’s 0.18 (understat), showing that if Mbabu was playing in the same team as Hakimi, it is fair to say that he would have far more than 3 assists. Another area where Mbabu impresses is dribbling, he completes 2.5 dribbles per 90, best in the Wolfsburg squad, and joint 4th in the Bundesliga with Filip Kostic. While Achraf Hakimi has impressed from right back at Dortmund, it is Kevin Mbabu of Wolfsburg who has snuck into the team, another surprise package of the season following is signing from Young Boys, the 25 year old has proven he has what it takes to be a top full back.
Midfielder: Joshua Kimmich, FC Bayern Munich
We all knew before this season that Joshua Kimmich was a world class right back, but now it has become very clear that he is much more than that, he has emerged as one of European football’s most cultured and impressive midfielders, and he is an extremely important part of Bayern’s title-winning midfield. There is no doubt that Joshua Kimmich contributes to Bayern defensively, with 1.6 tackles, 0.9 interceptions and 0.8 clearances (whoscored) per 90 not spectacular figures, but useful, and as Bayern are usually on the ball, their players will inevitably make fewer defensive actions. Kimmich has 7 assists in the Bundesliga this season, 3rd in Bayern, with 2.3 key passes per 90 only 0.2 off record breaking Thomas Müller, and 5th in the division (whoscored). As well as this, Kimmich’s passing has been outstanding this season, the 25 year old completed 77.2 passes per 90, 4th best in the division, with his 90.1% success rate 8thin the division. While not outrageous in any category, Joshua Kimmich remains excellent in most, making his midfield partnership with Thiago one of the finest in world football. At 25 years old, he still has more to offer to the world of football, and his move to midfield has proven a masterstroke.
Midfielder: Thomas Müller, FC Bayern Munich
Before this season, you may have been forgiven for thinking that Thomas Müller was past it, and was no longer a world class player, but a season later and the German has recorded a record breaking 21 assists in the Bundesliga this term, and been one of the best players in the Bundesliga. Unsurprisingly, he has recorded the most assists in the Bundesliga, with the most key passes per 90 with 2.5 (whoscored), he also has the best xA per 90 of any Bundesliga player with over 1000 minutes with 0.62, way ahead of next best Serge Gnabry (understat). This just shows the sheer magnitude off Müller’s creativity, he has recorded one of the best creative seasons in Bundesliga history. He does not neglect defensive work either, with 1.4 tackles per 90, 4th in the Bayern side (whoscored). In front of goal Müller is less of a threat, having scored 8 goals this season, but the 30 year old takes 1.6 shots per 90 (whoscored), and an xG per 90 of 0.34 he has been a useful goalscoring outlet for Bayern this season, while not particularly impressive in that regard. Creatively, Müller is in the elite of the elite this season, and if Hansi Flick can get similar output from him next season, there is no reason why he shouldn’t be in this team at the end of the campaign.
Attacker: Serge Gnabry, FC Bayern Munich
Bayern are a side rife with attacking talent, and one of their key men going forward is wide man Serge Gnabry. With 12 goals and 10 assists, Gnabry has impressed hugely since joining Bayern from Werder Bremen, both when it comes to scoring goals and creating them. Gnabry has the second best xA per 90 of any BuLi player, only behind Thomas Müller, and has a combined xG and xA per 90 in the league of 1.08 (understat), which is the kind of output that comes from a truly elite performer. Gnabry takes 3.1 shots per 90, only behind the two top goalscorers in the division (whoscored), Werner and Lewandowski, and with an xG of 14.17 (understat), he has run cold this season, so he should have scored even more than he has. With 1.7 key passes per 90, this is not in the Bundesliga top 10 (whoscored), showing that he picks his passes well, as by xG he should have 12 or 13 assists this season, showing that his assist numbers are not flukes. The 25 year old has been a truly elite performer for Bayern this season, and with competition in Leroy Sane coming in the summer, he will have to step his game up even further is he is to keep his place in the side, there is certainly more to come from the Germany international.
Attacker: Jadon Sancho, Borussia Dortmund
Borussia Dortmund will be very disappointed with their season, as they ended it with a whimper, but one man for whom they have to be eternally grateful is Jadon Sancho, the Englishman has been on spectacular form this season, scoring 17 and assisting 16. This leaves him as 3rd top scored and 2nd top assister in the Bundesliga, and the only player in the division with over 15 goals and assists. Sancho has run very hot this season, with only 10.75 xG this season (understat), which shows that, as well as an outstanding creative presence, he has become a very clinical finisher for BVB. He completes 2.2 key passes and 2.4 dribbles per 90, both in the Bundesliga’s top 10 (whoscored), so he is always involved in play. With 0.45 xA per 90, he is only behind Cristopher Nkunku, Thomas Müller and Serge Gnabry, showing he truly is an elite creator, although with an xA of 11.47 (understat), it does suggest that he is lucky that his teammates are so clinical, otherwise he wouldn’t have as many assists. While he may have been lucky to achieve quite the output he has this season, there is no doubt that Sancho is one of Europe’s finest wide men, and at 20 years of age he has far more to give.
Striker: Robert Lewandowski, FC Bayern Munich
This was never in doubt, without their talismanic Polish number 9, Bayern would not have won the Bundesliga this campaign, and while many anticipated a downturn in form for the now 31 year old, he has had the season of his life. Lewandowski has scored 34 and assisted 4 goals in the Bundesliga, more than any previous campaign. He has recorded an xG per 90 of 1.02, obviously this is obscene and far and away the best in the Bundesliga amongst players with over 1000 minutes (understat). The Pole takes 4.5 shots per 90, 1.1 ahead of any other Bundesliga player, and has had a total xG of 31.2 (understat) which suggests that he has been extremely clinical in front of goal for Bayern this campaign. Lewandowski also has an xA of 7.27 for the campaign, suggesting a very impressive campaign creatively, although he only has recorded 4 assists (understat). There is not much that can be said about Robert Lewandowski, he has been the best number 9 in Europe this campaign, he has been so vital to Bayern, they would not be the same without him, the best player in the Bundesliga, let’s hope he keeps his form from this season up for years to come.
Striker: Timo Werner, RB Leipzig
While he may sadly be leaving the Bundesliga this summer, Timo Werner has certainly left it in some style, becoming RB Leipzig’s all time top scorer, and if it were not for the obscene Robert Lewandowski, he would have been Bundesliga top scorer. He has not only scored 28 goals in the Bundesliga this season, 4.55 over expected (understat),but also provided 8 assists this campaign, hardly surprising considering he is playing under Nagelsmann. His 0.31 xA per 90 is extremely impressive for a striker, and he should have 1 or 2 more assists to his name (understat) this shows that under Nagelsmann, Werner has become more than just a prolific goalscorer, but he is now a very impressive player creatively. Werner is only beaten by Lewandowski in shots per game in the BuLi thsis campaign (whoscored), as well as an xG per 90 rating of 0.75 also placing him second behind the Pole. Werner has matured enormously as a player over the course of this campaign, and when he takes his talents to England, there is no doubt that he will do just as well as he has done over the years in Germany.
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