I am still a fan of Hummels and like his brand of defending, but since his great World Cup, he's not been at his best. When you look at the games Dortmund have lost this season, his lack of speed and inability to read the game well enough has seen his stock dip. And with Badstuber returning to form a great partnership with Boateng, there could be a little change at the back for Germany.
It's early to say and nothing is definite now. Badstuber has onyl had one game, and there is that cloud of injury that has shrouded his career. At one point he was a starter for Bayern and Germany and was one of the best defenders in those German parts. But the kinds of injuries he's had are the ones that retire you. To be out for so long, I really thought it was all over for him.
I remember the second injury he had, after he came back from a long lay off. When he went down again, you just saw it in his face and reaction that it could be over. His face sunk, head bent down and I was ready to write him off every playing again. Because it's not just the physical drawback of a serious injury, but it's the mentality and motivation to believe that you can really come back and do anything.
So I am keeping my fingers crossed that he can have at least two or three seasons being injury-free. Or at least never having a serious one that keeps him out for seven months or more. Just watching his defending, and understanding of the game, he looks like he can be a very solid defender. There just looks to be more assurance about him than Hummels right now. I get it, you can't judge him against the horrid play of Hamburg, but I can't not deny that he was completely at ease and worked really well with Boateng.
He was actually a right back before, same as Boateng, but he looks far better being in the middle than on the flank. He was always a bit awkard with the ball and wasn't the best carrying it out or forming attacks in the way that Alaba or Lahm can. In the middle though, he's not required to do that, and can just focus on making well-timed tackle, forming a robust wall that not even an alien spaceship can penetrate.
JUST STAY FREE FROM INURY MY DEAR BADSTUUUUUBLE!
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