Lennart Karl (Bayern Munich)

Bayern’s 17-year-old rising star is the name on everyone’s lips in Germany. While he is theoretically still eligible to line up for the U-17 national team, the prodigy’s performances in the first half of the season saw him play his way into Nagelsmann’s plans sooner than anyone expected. He has already established himself in Vincent Kompany’s starting XI at Bayern, and has notched seven goals and created a further two.

Germany captain Kimmich also recently hinted that his young club-mate is primed for the international stage: “He’s already forced his way into our first team. And every regular player at Bayern – especially the way we’re playing right now – belongs in the national team.” If there is no let-up in Karl’s form in the second half of the season, it may well be impossible for Nagelsmann to leave him out of his plans for the global showpiece.