Bundesliga
Selke: "I want to get into double figures"
Hertha Berlin forward Davie Selke has endured a trying past couple of seasons with injuries, but, after receiving praise from Germany head coach Joachim Löw recently, is determined to push on and show what he can do in 2019/20.
The 24-year-old started to make waves in the Bundesliga back in 2013/14 for Werder Bremen, scoring nine goals in 33 top-flight appearances as a teenager before making a surprise decision to drop down a division and join RB Leipzig in 2015/16.
He hit 10 in 27 league outings that season to help Die Roten Bullen into the Bundesliga for the first time ever, but found his playing time limited following the arrival of Timo Werner at the club.
That prompted a move to Hertha Berlin in July 2017 and, despite missing almost five months through a series of minor injuries - including missing out on full pre-season training for the past two years - has found the net 13 times in 57 outings for the Old Lady. Last term he scored three and provided nine assists from 16 starts.
Yet as respectable a return as that may be, the former Germany U21 international is hungry for more. "I feel very good, I feel fit and ready," he told Kicker. "Whenever I've been in as good shape as I am now, I've been able to perform on the pitch. My aim is to reach double figures for goals scored this season. That's my objective."
The forward will once again vie with veterans Vedad Ibisevic and Salomon Kalou as well as new signing Dodi Lukebakio for a place in attack, but he is confident of getting playing time in new coach Ante Covic's preferred 4-3-3 formation.
Watch: A look at Selke on fire last season
"We're starting from scratch again, it'll be a good battle," Selke said of the competition for places. "If I can stay fit I'm not worried at all. I'll get my minutes on the pitch."
Should he do so, there is also what Selke described as the "huge incentive" of the prospect of a maiden call-up to the senior Germany squad after Löw confirmed in June that Selke is one of the players he is keeping tabs on.
"He's a positive player with unbelievable commitment and pace," said the 59-year-old. "Those are positive qualities but he still needs to develop further. I'd like a player like him to score 12 to 15 goals a season. That's what a player needs to do if he wants to make a difference for Germany at international level."