Germany's 'keeper conundrum

March 17, 2010

By Jon Carter
For the first time in decades, Germany go into a World Cup without an established and experienced goalkeeper to provide them with stability at the back.
Rene Adler
GettyImages Rene Adler is the current No.1.
Whether it has been Bodo Illgner, Andreas Kopke, Oliver Kahn or even Jens Lehmann, the Germans have always had reliable hands to call upon in recent times, but South Africa 2010 provides the next generation of young goalkeepers with the chance to cement their place in the national side after the tragic suicide of Robert Enke in November 2009.
Kahn, in particular, has proved to be a hard act to follow since his decision to retire after the 2006 World Cup (when he was usurped in Jurgen Klinsmann's starting XI by Lehmann), but Germany now have a few stoppers ready to take over his mantle - even if they don't boast the solidity of some of their predecessors.
Rene Adler
Adler appears to be at the top of the list for Germany, but he has come under criticism of late for some fairly erratic performances for his club Bayer Leverkusen. Legendary defender Franz Beckenbauer is not a man you want to have as an enemy in the German camp, but he has been particularly vocal about Adler's inefficiencies: "If somebody makes an error like that in a school team, then you would tell him to find a different sport," he said on Sky. "Adler is a great goalkeeper, but since he has known that he is the No. 1, he is making one error after the other."
Mistakes have been a part of goalkeeping since time began, but Adler, still just 25, is more prone to making rash decisions than others and this was highlighted by his collision with Sami Hyypia against Hamburg at the weekend that allowed Ze Roberto to score.
An error-strewn performance in the 1-0 friendly defeat to Argentina in the last round of international matches at the start of the month did not fill the fans with confidence and, although Joachim Low appears to have given him his backing, he has not made the steps to secure his spot. A lack of concentration is one of the key factors he needs to improve upon and there are still question marks over his first XI claims.
He does have lightning quick reactions, and an impressive performance against Russia gave him the confidence that is needed to stay in peak form, but he has still made only nine appearances for his country and there is every chance that one of his rivals could usurp him before the tournament begins if his indifferent form continues.
Manuel Neuer
One of the main reasons for Schalke's rise up the table in Germany this season, the 23-year-old Neuer is viewed as the goalkeeper with the most potential but also lacks the experience that is so vital at international level.
His form for Schalke has seen him keep 12 clean sheets out of his 26 games thus far, and he has even been linked with replacing Edwin van der Sar at Manchester United. Having been one of the top performers in the Bundesliga in the past few years, he has shown enough to suggest that he could be a top goalkeeper for his country but, once again, mistakes have blotted his copybook.
Culpable for one of the goals in the 2-2 draw with the Ivory Coast in what was his second (and most recent) cap for Germany, Neuer has also erred for his club, with Wolfsburg's Brazilian striker Grafite taking advantage of his indecision back in February. Certainly, he is not the finished article, but he will grow into the role and should be able to claim the No. 1 spot after the World Cup, if not before.
Tim Wiese
At 28, Wiese may have missed the boat when you consider the other options that Low has at his disposal. Having been in and around the international setup for a few years, he has only managed to accumulate two caps and high-profile errors have always been a part of his game.
Wiese's career has gone steadily downhill since March 2006, when he dropped the ball at the feet of Juventus midfielder Emerson in the Champions League to gift the Italian side progress in the final few minutes. It was an embarrassing mistake from which he has never fully recovered.
Because of this he has not lived up to the billing he was given as a youngster, but is still capable of putting in the occasional match-winning performances. His starring role against Valencia in the first-leg of the Europa League led to calls for him to be given another chance for Germany but, in truth, it may be too late for him to mount a serious challenge.
Jens Lehmann
Jens Lehmann
GettyImagesJens Lehmann has had a long and successful career
He may have retired from the international scene in August 2008, but Lehmann is an experienced head who could still bring a lot to the table. A commanding and decisive 'keeper, his erratic and often bizarre decision making, coupled with an ability to start a fight in an empty room, don't exactly give weight to his claims for a recall, but he doesn't lack self confidence: "Somebody like me would be perfect for the World Cup," he told WAZ.
If Low is looking for experience then Lehmann is just about the only option around, but it would be a dangerous move given the outspoken 'keeper's remarks about his team-mates. ''If you want to be a world champion, it is not easy with relatively inexperienced people," Lehmann told Bild. "Rene Adler and Manuel Neuer don't play in the Champions League and thus don't play continually at the highest level."
While Lehmann himself won't be playing at the highest level for much longer, his experience stands him in good stead and he could be given a chance to end his career on a high. Without the assurance that he will be No. 1, however, Lehmann will most likely be watching the World Cup on TV as Low chooses to focus on the future.