Niclas Füllkrug deserves a World Cup start for Germany

Niclas Füllkrug rises to the occasion

Germany needed a hero on Sunday and that came in the form of Werder Bremen’s powerhouse striker Niclas Füllkrug.

Though he’s had a role as a much appreciated super-sub, his game-tying, World Cup hopes saving goal was a reminder of why Germany need him in the starting line-up to impact the game from the get-go.

Füllkrug is a true target striker. His height makes him dangerous in the air, his physical build and strength make him a menace with his back to goal, and his powerful shot means when he strikes sweet there’s no stopping him.

Yes, Niclas Füllkrug’s physical presence makes him an ideal candidate for target striker, but it’s his mentality that completes the picture.

It’s the laser-focused look in his eye when the goal’s in sight. It’s the complete lack of hesitation to shoot. It’s his face after the goal that says yes I’ve just scored a tournament-saving World Cup goal, but that shot?… I’ve done it before and I’ll do it again.

Germany’s World Cup start has been wildly disappointing beginning with a rather apathetic first-half performance in a loss to Japan. But when Germany decides to turn a corner and show urgency, Nicholas Füllkrug is there. He brings the urgency. He brings the spark.

Füllkrug isn’t taking anything for granted. In fact, his call-up to the national team was arguably only a result of Leipzig’s Timo Werner sustaining a serious ankle injury that left him unable to play for the foreseeable future.

So when much of the German team slips into their complacent attitude of knowing they’re world greats playing for a 4x World Cup Champions country, Füllkrug brings them back to reality.  Back to the moment.

Germany enters the final group-stage match with a loss and a tie. Something has to change. Füllkrug is that change.