The Bundesliga XI

While this is expected to become a weekly column, I have decided to hand out the first Weekly XI based on the cumulative efforts of the first three weeks.  I will use a 3-4-3 formation for my picks.

GK: Mathias Schober (Schalke 04) – The veteran backup has taken over during Manuel Neuer’s injury and has given up the least goals in the league. And he’s done so with Bordon looking suspect.

DF: Heiko Westermann (Schalke 04) – He’s fills in for Rafinha as well as he did for Pander last year. Two goals and solid defense make him the most versatile defender in the league. He might be Schalke’s answer to their goalie problems.

DF: Neven Subotic (Borussia Dortmund) – 19 year old defenders aren’t meant to be this good.

DF: Friedrich (Hertha Berlin) – An iffy penalty on Ze Roberto and a failure to collapse on Lahm last week, should not take away from his brilliant start to the season.

MF: Kuba (Borussia Dortmund) – He has been the offensive catalyst of Dortmund’s revival.

MF: Marin (Borussia Mönchengladbach) – I can’t say enough about this kid.

MF: Bastian Schweinsteiger (Bayern Munich) – Has taken the leadership of the team from Van Bommel. In addition he has been the driving force for the Bavarians during Ribery’s injury.

MF: Ashkan Dejegah (Wolfsburg) – Relentless and tenacious, he has been Wolfsburg’s best performer during their solid start.

FW: Vedad Ibisevic (TSG Hoffenheim) – Any questions I had about his and Bo’s ability to adapt to the Bundesliga have been answered with loads of goals.

FW: Artur Wichniarek (Arminia Bielefeld) – He’s looking like a one man team.

FW: Patrick Helmes (Bayer Leverkusen) – It was tough to choose Helmes over Köln’s Novakovic, but Helmes’ abilities to create and hold have made him instrumental to Bayer’s start.