Bundesliga
Who will be the Bundesliga's next breakout star?
The Bundesliga is well-known for producing world class talent, with players such as the prolific Erling Haaland, Real Madrid star Jude Bellingham and even a young Kevin De Bruyne all having made a name for themselves in Germany.
Last season saw Aleksander Pavlović become an important cog in Bayern Munich's midfield, while new Borussia Dortmund forward Maximilian Beier earned himself a place in Germany's Euro 2024 squad with his sparkling Hoffenheim from, but who will be next season's breakout star?
bundesliga.com picks out five names ready to get off to a flyer...
The highly rated Dortmund youngster and Belgium U21 international, who has been likened to compatriot and Manchester City winger Jérémy Doku, has made three Bundesliga appearances since joining from Anderlecht in January 2023. Just like Doku, Julien Duranville is lightning quick and a dangerous dribbler with the ball at his feet, with his exceptional agility making him hard to stop when he’s in full flow.
Talking of exciting wingers, Duranville’s role model is former Dortmund superstar Ousmane Dembélé, as he told bvb.de – “I’ve been a fan of Ousmane Dembélé since I was a little boy. I love the way he plays football and back then I really wanted to know which club was behind it. That's how I first really became aware of BVB.”
Since making his debut at the end of the 2022-23 season against Mainz, the Belgian talent has unfortunately struggled with injuries, thus limiting his opportunities in the first team. Duranville is back to full fitness now though and with a full pre-season and a maiden Dortmund goal in the DFB Cup win over Phönix Lübeck, there’s every chance that he can become an integral part of Nuri Şahin’s new look Dortmund side as they look to get back into the top four.
Next on our list is Stuttgart’s new loanee Frans Krätzig, signed from Bayern Munich. Just like Stuttgart’s incredible 2023-24 season which saw them enter the Champions League again for the first time since the 2009-10 season, Krätzig will be hoping he has a season that gets everyone talking.
The 21-year-old left-back spent last season on loan in Austria with Austria Vienna where he made 17 appearances, scoring once and registering three assists and now has the chance to impress in both the Bundesliga and the Champions League. The talented defender has already had a taste of the Bundesliga with his parent club Bayern, making four appearances for the first team so far, with his debut coming in last season’s 7-0 demolition of Bochum.
Krätzig does also have some European experience, having already made an appearance in the Champions League with Bayern when he replaced Alphonso Davies in the 86th minute against Copenhagen last season.
Centre-forward Keke Topp joined Werder Bremen from Schalke this summer, having impressed in his 25 Bundesliga 2 appearances last season for the Royal Blues. Having lost Nick Woltemade to Bundesliga rivals Stuttgart, Bremen have acquired the talents of Topp to keep their attack sharp this upcoming season.
Topp was a prolific scorer for Schalke’s youth teams before making his Bundesliga debut for the club in the 2022-23 season when he appeared off the bench against Hoffenheim. This is Topp’s only Bundesliga appearance thus far, but he’ll have plenty more opportunities this season with Bremen as he looks to bring his goalscoring talents to the Bundesliga.
Arijon Ibrahimović becomes our second Bayern youngster on this list hoping to make his name in the Bundesliga next season. Unlike fellow Bayern youngster Krätzig, Ibrahimović will not be heading out on loan next season and will therefore have the challenge of breaking into Bayern’s attack, which has already been strengthened with the additions of Michael Olise and Nestory Irankunda.
Despite the competition for places, there is every chance that Ibrahimović can become an important part of new manager Vincent Kompany’s side; the exciting winger added to his glowing reputation at Bayern with an impressive loan spell last season with Serie A side Frosinone, where he made 18 appearances. With a season of first-team football under his belt, Ibrahimović will look to take the next step and help Bayern regain the Bundesliga title next season.
The tricky Justin Diehl has joined Stuttgart after a disappointing season with former club Cologne, which saw them get relegated at the end of the 2023-24 season. Diehl rose through the ranks having been with the club since 2011 and eventually made it to the first team, where he made nine appearances before departing this summer.
Despite the sad ending to Cologne’s season, Diehl still managed to make an impression in his few appearances, with his direct dribbling and energetic performances adding a bright spark to Cologne’s attack. This upcoming season could be the one where Diehl really cements himself as one of the league’s brightest talents as his new side aim to replace the goals of Serhou Guirassy.