I've said it many times before, and why don't I just say it again, for old time's sake.
Central-midfield is the hardest and most demanding position in football.
Those who play in other roles would argue about that, and say that every position comes with its own degree of difficulty. But having played, in some form, in every area of the pitch I can confidently say that central-midfield is the most difficult to master.
It's the heart, soul and nucleus of the team. If your midfield doesn't work, then your team doesn't work. More times than not you lose the match with a weak midfield, unless the football gods are kind with you and they bless you with incredible luck, so you literally just steal a goal and win a game you had no business of doing so.
Really, to be on the safe side, you need a pair of quality central midfielders who know how to control a game, and have the perfect balance of defence and attack, to stabilise the team. It's really one of the most difficult roles to cast in the production called: The Perfect Football Team.
The role requires great passing, vision, an ability to tackle, superb stamina, and the high footballing IQ, all which can last for ninety minutes. Most times, the manager requires their best central midfielder to play the entire game, as taking them out could potentially mess with the entire balance of the team.
When I first saw him come in, I didn't make much of him. I thought this was just another youth player being given a run-around, but it would really be Castro and the other more experienced players who'd get picked ahead of him.
Wrong. (As Trump would say.)
Weigl kept performing well, a lot better than most expected for someone of his age. He did so well that the big money signing that was Castro, got overlooked in favour of the young German kid.
Then he played in the big games, against Bayern and acquitted himself very well, never looking out of his depth or reminding you of his inexperience.Those are the games that really prove whether you ready to roll in the big time. If you come through those with flying colours, then you can say that you have finally arrived.
But what has finally gotten me onto the Weigl train was what he did at the Bernabeu against the Champions League winners, and the only team who are yet to lose in any competition thus far.
Julian stepped right into Real Madrid's cribb, and never looked nervous or shaky. In fact, his midfield partner Castro, was the one whose performance kept going up and down and lost the ball a few times.
Not Weigl, who always remained calm.
It was in that second half, where Dortmund needed to get back in the game that Weigl shone by always making the right pass, and took risks by trying to moving the ball forward at every chance.Dortmund took hold of the midfield, and controlled the game as they tried to look for a way back. Weigl in the middle was exceptional. Never losing the ball, and always looking to keep Dortmund penetrative.
The kid is a real player and I hope that he plants his future at Dortmund and doesn't make a stupid move to a "bigger" club, that could potentially ruin his career.
If another young star makes a move from Dortmund, I am going to write to UEFA and FIFA and demand a rule-change.
Tuchel is a superb coach and Weigl is thriving working under such a progressive manager. I am excited to see what more he can do, and as for Germany, they have yet another stud rolling through on their very impressive conveyor belt.
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