I worry we'll ultimately fall short of what we might've done because Neuer (and to a lesser extent, Müller) didn't retire with Kroos...and our lack of midfield depth means we really need Kimmich to be fit...but I haven't been this excited for a tourney since 2014.
...maybe 2016, but Jogi's ultimate squad left me disappointed heading in; he picked too many of his favs (Poldi, Schurrle, Can, & Mustafi) over more talented & in-form kids (Brandt, Gundogan, Süle).
My current guess at our starting 11 & the full 26 (assuming everyone is fit):
4-2-3-1 (lopsided)
Havertz
Sane - Müller - Gnabry
Kimmich - Goretzka
Raum - Schlotterbeck - Süle - Kehrer
Neuer
Bench:
ATT: Wirtz, Musiala, Adeyemi, Werner
MF: Gundogan, Neuhaus
WB: Gosens, Hofmann*, Baku*
CB: Ginter, Rüdiger, Klostermann
GK: ter Stegen, Trapp
*both can also provide depth to the attack & midfield
Final spot (my order of preference):
Burkardt / Schade / Draxler / Reus / Nmecha / Brandt / Volland
or
Dahoud / Stach / Andrich / Can / Weigl / Arnold / Geiger / Stiller
Alternate shape (3-4-3):
Havertz/Gnabry
Sane - Müller/Gnabry
Raum/Gosens - Kimmich - Goretzka - Hofmann/Baku
Schlotterbeck - Süle - Kehrer
Neuer
I have a strange feeling that Draxler will have a phenomenal tourney if selected; managing to look like the talent everyone expected him to be...for that month...before going back to the complacent underachiever that he has been since leaving Schalke.
But I wouldn't pick him over any of 8 attackers that I have in the 25 locks (if fit), just based on that hunch, and I would prefer Burkardt if we took a 9th attacker/creative...11th if we don't count Hofmann & Baku as wingbacks or midfielders.
Though Draxler's versatility could be a mark in his favor for that final spot...as he can give us some more cover in the midfield (and maybe even WB), as well, if Flick keeps him motivated & focused.
