German football has produced some of the finest players the game has ever seen, from Franz Beckenbauer to Gerd Muller. The likes of Oliver Kahn, Michael Ballack, and several others have gone on to make a name for themselves both in Germany and across the world. However, over the last decade or so, an imbalance has emerged. While Germany has continued to produce elite midfielders like Ilkay Gundogan, Leon Goretzka, Joshua Kimmich, and several others, it is lagging behind some of the world’s other top teams in creating world-class strikers. The emergence of Nick Woltemade, Kai Havertz, and Deniz Undav does offer hope, but the country still has a long way to go before it can truly replace No. 9s of the quality of Miroslav Klose and Mario Gomez.

The situation raises questions over the exact nature of the youth model in Germany. To understand this complex and ever-evolving topic, NDTV caught up with Maximilian Koegel, the Sports Director for the Transition Program (U16 to U21) at Talentwerk, for an exclusive interview. Bochum’s success rate in producing elite talent from its academy remains among the best in the country. Koegel explained exactly why that is the case, while also sharing interesting insights into the culture that exists in German youth academies.

Q. For readers who may not be familiar with the German academy system, how would you describe the core principles of youth development in Germany? More specifically, what makes the VfL Bochum academy different?

Maximilian Koegel: Germany has many excellent academies that develop young players to a very high standard. For us at VfL Bochum, our environment is quite unique because we’re located in one of the strongest football regions in Europe, surrounded by clubs like Borussia Dortmund, Bayer Leverkusen and Schalke.

Our objective is, of course, to develop players, but just as importantly, we want to be a family. Every player who joins Bochum understands that we may not have the biggest budget, luxury facilities or the financial power of some other clubs. What we do offer is highly qualified coaches, personal attention and a clear pathway to professional football.

Our academy graduates are essential to the club’s future. We want to help them, ideally, make the leap into the first team or move on to bigger challenges.

Another strength of our academy is continuity. Many of our coaches have been at the club for eight years or more. They know the region, they know the culture and, most importantly, they know the players from the youngest age groups all the way through to the U19s. That creates strong relationships and a genuine family atmosphere alongside high-quality football education.

Q. Every academy faces the classic dilemma of winning versus developing players. How do you balance competitive success in youth football with long-term individual development?

Maximilian Koegel: It’s a question every academy has to answer. One of our core principles is that every player up to the U16 level should receive meaningful playing time. We have an internal guideline where each player should play at least 50 per cent of the available minutes across the season.

The reason is simple. At 13 or 14 years old, you cannot always predict who will become the better player. Some develop physically later than others, so if you only focus on winning matches, you might lose talented players who simply need more time.

From the U17 level onwards, the focus naturally becomes more performance-oriented because players are preparing for professional football. Of course, we still want to win every game-that mentality is an important part of football-but individual development always comes first.

A good example was last season with our U21 team. We promoted several Under-19 players to the Under-21 squad earlier than planned because we believed it would accelerate their progress toward professional football. Perhaps we would have had a stronger U19 team if those players had stayed, but helping individuals reach the next level was more important than chasing youth trophies.

That’s our philosophy: don’t evaluate success only by results or league positions. Evaluate it by how many players become professionals.

Q. How closely does the academy work with the first-team coaching staff? Is there a defined playing identity that every age group follows?

Maximilian Koegel: The connection with the first team is very important. We have regular meetings-roughly once a month-between the academy staff and the professional coaching staff. We discuss promising players, their development, and how they can move closer to the first team.

We also focus on developing players for every position on the pitch – full-backs, central midfielders, wingers, strikers – so that they understand the responsibilities of these roles, regardless of the formation. Naturally, the playing style changes slightly because professional football in the 2. Bundesliga is very different from youth football. Youth teams usually have more possession and space, while senior football is much more physical and direct.

Even so, we want every player to understand the same basic principles: be brave with the ball, be aggressive without it, press with intensity and transition quickly when opportunities arise.

Q. Germany has consistently produced technically gifted midfielders, while Bundesliga clubs have also helped develop international stars like Kevin De Bruyne and Jude Bellingham. What makes the German development system particularly effective at producing intelligent midfield players?

Maximilian Koegel: I think it reflects the way football is generally played in Germany. Midfielders are expected to control the game, connect different phases of play and be heavily involved both in possession and in transition. That’s something you see across the Bundesliga and the 2. Bundesliga.

German football has traditionally placed a lot of emphasis on transition play, which means midfielders have to make good decisions, understand space and influence the game in both attacking and defensive situations. They’re not simply there to support counter-attacks-they’re expected to dictate the rhythm of the match.

Perhaps another reason is that Germany has traditionally developed players who think strategically. We may not always produce the fastest or most explosive athletes, so our players learn to solve situations through intelligence, positioning and decision-making. Those qualities are especially valuable in midfield.

Modern football also demands midfielders who can hold the team together, organise the game and create solutions under pressure. I think those are characteristics that German football has consistently developed well over many years.

Q. Germany currently appears to lack elite centre-forwards. France continues to produce outstanding talent across every position, while England has recently developed several clinical No. 9s. Are German academies actively studying or adopting elements from these systems to address the striker shortage?

Maximilian Koegel: This discussion isn’t new. A few years ago people were saying Germany needed to produce more possession players. Now the conversation has shifted towards finding more number nines. Football debates often move from one position to another depending on tournament results. Personally, I believe it’s more about the overall football culture than any specific position.

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Jordan Pickford is confident England will be streetwise enough to keep their cool in Wednesday’s intense World Cup semi-final clash with Argentina.

Thomas Tuchel’s side have the chance to become the nation’s first men’s team to reach the final since Sir Alf Ramsey’s heroes lifted the trophy in 1966.

World champions Argentina stand in their way and the eyes of the nation will be on Atlanta for what is sure to be an electric encounter at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on Wednesday.

This is the nations’ first knockout meeting since David Beckham saw red for tripping Diego Simeone in England’s agonising World Cup 1998 exit, but Pickford believes they will avoid similar drama.

“I think you’ve seen throughout the tournament our desire to win tackles, we’ve not got into any scuffles or anything,” England’s all-time leading appearance maker at World Cups said.

“We’ve been very well respected within the game. Decisions go our way, they don’t go our way, we just reset, we go again and we let the football do the talking.

“I think that’s what we’ve done throughout the tournament. Apart from Jarell (Quansah’s red card in Mexico), we’ve not had any suspensions, no second yellow cards or anything like that.

“It just shows the mentality we have and we don’t get wrapped up in things like that. We stay focused, we stay together.”

That focus will be vital in what is sure to be a febrile atmosphere as Argentina’s players and fans will Lionel Messi, one of the greatest players in the game’s history, to another World Cup crown.

The 39-year-old has been a force of nature this summer as Lionel Scaloni’s men scraped through to the semi-finals, but England have their own stars in Hary Kane and Jude Bellingham.

“Everyone will talk about Messi because he’s one of the GOATs (greatest of all time) of the game,” Pickford said.

“But you can’t look past the ability and the talent we’ve got in the squad – going forward, defensively, togetherness. We’ve got it all there and that’s what we need to put on show on Wednesday.

“But we also can’t just talk about Messi. They’re a good side and they’re reigning champions. They’re a good side but we’ve got so much ability in our squad going forward and we’re hard to break down. We’ve got that resilience, we’ve got that togetherness and we’ve got that mentality. That’s what makes a good team.”

England against Argentina holds a lot of history for a variety of reasons, including Diego Maradona’s ‘Hand of God’ in 1986 and the Beckham moment 12 years later.

But the background matters little to Pickford and this current crop, who are looking to make it to the World Cup final after reaching the last two European Championship showpieces.

“I think it’s just solely focus on us as England now and us being at our best to beat another top nation,” Pickford said.

“It’s us against them to get a place in the final, and it’s a game of football. 90 minutes, 120, penalties. We’re ready for anything, and it’s us against them and it’s about who comes out on top. We’re fully prepared for that.”

New Chelsea manager Xabi Alonso has made it clear that he wants midfielder Enzo Fernández to remain at the club.

Alonso spoke during his first press conference at Stamford Bridge on Monday after officially taking charge of the Blues.

The Argentina international has been linked with a move away from Chelsea in recent weeks, with reports suggesting interest from Real Madrid. However, the Spanish giants have denied trying to sign him.

When asked if he wanted Fernandez to stay, Alonso gave a simple answer.

“Yes,” he said.

“We have spoken. But, as you can understand, what we said will remain private.”

The 25-year-old midfielder is currently away with Argentina and is preparing for the 2026 FIFA World Cup semi-final against England.

Alonso also confirmed that striker Nicolas Jackson will return to the squad after Bayern Munich decided not to make his loan move permanent.

“Nico Jackson is joining the tour in Asia and we are looking forward to him working with us,” Alonso said.

The Chelsea boss also revealed that winger Alejandro Garnacho is not training with the first team because he is looking for a move away from the club. Italian side Roma are among the clubs interested in signing him.

Alonso admitted Chelsea’s failure to qualify for European competition has changed some plans but insisted it will not affect the club’s main objectives for the new season.

He said he is working closely with the sporting directors to strengthen the squad in the right positions before the transfer window closes.

Describing his appointment as a “privilege and honour”, Alonso said he is excited by the opportunity to lead one of England’s biggest clubs.

“The excitement is the club, the squad and the opportunity to build something successful here,” he said.

“We want to build a competitive mentality, win games and enjoy doing it.”

Alonso added that returning Chelsea to European football is one of his main targets.

“For sure, that’s a goal,” he said. “But to achieve it, we have to do many things right. We are ambitious, and at Chelsea you need the hunger to succeed.”

The 44-year-old has already begun working with his squad at Cobham as he prepares the Blues for the new Premier League season.

Alexander Zverev is used to being “the third guy” in tennis. After following up his French Open title with a run to his first Wimbledon final, he’s hoping to be more than that in the future.

Despite losing to Jannik Sinner on Centre Court on Sunday, the 29-year-old Zverev thinks he is closer than ever to challenging the top-ranked Italian and his main rival Carlos Alcaraz and giving tennis a Big Three again.

Sinner and Alcaraz had won the last nine Grand Slam tournaments between them before Zverev won his first major at Roland Garros this year.

“There was always this conversation, who will be the third guy?’” Zverev said. “I’ve always been the third guy, but I was just far away from those two. But I’ve always been No. 3 in a way. So if I get closer to them … it would be great.” 
Alcaraz missed this year’s French Open – and Wimbledon – with a wrist injury, and Sinner was eliminated in the second round in Paris after wilting in the heat.

Zverev lost in five sets to Alcaraz in the semifinals at the Australian Open this year and lost 6-7 (7), 7-6 (2), 6-3, 6-4 to Sinner on Sunday after overextending his knee in the third set.

“I think I’ve been pushing those guys,” Zverev said. “I haven’t beaten them this year, but I’ve pushed them to the limits, I would say.” 
He may have been able to push Sinner even more had it not been for a slip during the third set, on Zverev’s only break point of the match. The German fell to the ground and clutched his right knee in pain, with Sinner coming over to check on his opponent before helping Zverev up off the grass.

Zverev said he overextended his knee and that it hampered his serve – his biggest weapon – after that.

“I was struggling to push off on the serve a little bit. So my serve speed went down,” he said.

“But everything else went fine. I was moving fine from the baseline and playing from the baseline fine.” 
Despite the loss, Zverev will shed the “third guy” moniker in at least one way – he will overtake Alcaraz as No. 2 in the rankings on Monday.

Zverev had never been past the fourth round at Wimbledon before this year, but seems to have finally figured out how to play on grass.

“I’m 29 years old and this is the first time I actually believe I can win this trophy,” Zverev told the Centre Court crowd after his defeat.

Sinner seems to share that belief.

“Today you were so, so close. If you play like this, I’m very, very sure you’re going to have this (trophy) at home as well,” Sinner told his opponent.

“I know the goal is for you to become the No. 1 in the world. You’re very, very close. So we have to be very careful now.

Prince William joined his wife Kate and two of their children for the men’s final at Wimbledon on Sunday in a star-studded Royal Box that also included actors Dustin Hoffman, Nicole Kidman and Ben Stiller.

Kate is the patron of the All England Club and presented the trophy to winner Jannik Sinner after his match against Alexander Zverev. She also handed out the trophy to women’s winner Linda Noskova on Saturday, but was not joined by any family members.

The couple’s two eldest children, Prince George and Princess Charlotte, also attended Sunday’s match. All four were on hand to watch Sinner beat Carlos Alcaraz in last year’s final as well. After the win over Zverev, the royals had an extended chat with Sinner in a room inside the tournament’s main stadium as he clutched the golden trophy.

“Fantastic achievement, Kate told Sinner. “It’s really inspiring to the children to see tennis at that level.” 
Sinner then asked the young royals how often they play tennis themselves.

“Not every day, but weekends,” George said.

Sinner had a similar conversation with the four royals after last year’s final.

“You can really see that they love the sport,” Sinner said Sunday.

“This is exactly how we feel as players on court when we see them watching tennis. Staying there for four hours under the sun with the heat, it’s really nice. … Having the whole Royal Box there, as well, the whole people staying for a match like this for four-ish hours, it’s amazing. That’s also the reason why we love to play tennis.” 
Other dignitaries in the Royal Box included German Chancellor Friedrich Merz and Italy’s sports minister Andrea Abodi.

Former Wimbledon champions Stefan Edberg, Lleyton Hewitt, Richard Krajicek, Jan Kodes and Stan Smith were also in attendance.

Other Hollywood celebrities in the crowd for the match included Jennifer Lopez, Tom Hiddleston and Andrew Garfield.

A former AEW champion made a major disclosure on why he left a top company. Former AEW International Champion Will Ospreay has a huge task at hand. He won the 2026 Owen Hart Foundation tournament and is set to main event All In at Wembley Stadium against the AEW World Champion Kenny Omega.

The Aerial Assassin recently spoke about his previous company. He was one of the biggest draws for NJPW before he became All Elite. He joined the Japan-based promotion a decade ago and became a huge sensation in the pro wrestling industry. Until 2020, he became a top attraction for New Japan Pro Wrestling. He recently revealed why he left the company.

While speaking on Marking Out, Will Ospreay revealed that he was done with the company in 2023 and had decided that he was no longer going to stay with NJPW due to behind-the-scenes issues. He also claimed that he wanted to be more present for Alex Windsor and therefore signed with AEW.

“The COVID era ended 2023, then we just rode that wave. And I kind of knew that this was gonna be my last year. There was some things that were happening behind the scenes. I was just over the office. I loved the boys and I loved the fans. I got a new girlfriend. I became a dad to her kid. So it was just one of these things where I wanted to be present and I wanted to be there more. I knew I needed to go to my next stage of my career, but I didn’t wanna cut my ties with Japan. So that’s why AEW was amazing” he said. [H/T – WrestlePurists’ X]

Callum Newman doesn’t want AEW star Will Ospreay to return to NJPW

Will Ospreay was part of the United Empire before leaving NJPW for All Elite Wrestling. The faction struggled after losing a top star from their group.

While speaking on Self Made Pro, Callum said that he worked hard to get the faction to the top. He also warned Will Ospreay to stay away from NJPW.

“I worked so hard, Jeff Cobb left, Will left, HENARE got hurt, AKIRA got hurt too. It was just me, GOK, and JAY. I was like you two aren’t going to put the work in, so I did it all by myself. Then Will comes back after we finally get back to the top. . . and i’m like you left, stay gone!” he said.

It will be interesting to see what is next for the Aerial Assassin.