10 best transfers of the Bundesliga season
There was no shortage of impactful signings last summer as the 2016-17 campaign saw the emergence of several players who've established themselves as critical components to the success of their respective teams.
Here are the 10 best signings in the Bundesliga this season:
10. Kevin Volland - Bayer Leverkusen
It was a season to forget for Bayer Leverkusen whose attempts to keep the ball out of its own net proved wholly unsuccessful. However, there didn't seem to be a problem on the other end of the pitch as Kevin Volland's addition helped the club emerge as one of the Bundesliga's top scoring teams.
9. Neven Subotic - FC Koln
Though his loan spell at FC Koln was disrupted by injuries, Neven Subotic still managed to leave his mark on the team, helping it secure a place in the Europa League. However, he won't be around to enjoy the fruits of his labour after announcing he will not return to the club.
8. Raphael Guerreiro - Borussia Dortmund
Borussia Dortmund couldn't have asked for more from Raphael Guerreiro. During his debut season the versatile left-back establish himself as a regular fixture in Thomas Tuchel's team, proving his efficiency at both ends of the park.
7. Serge Gnabry - Werder Bremen
A move to his homeland produced tremendous results for Serge Gnabry, who thrived in Germany following a disappointing end to his career in England with Arsenal.
The 21-year-old established himself as a key contributor for a Werder Bremen side that jumped five places in the table from the year prior. Gnabry displayed a competence to bang in goals - scoring 11 times - which has peaked the interest of RB Leipzig heading into the summer.
6. Max Kruse - Werder Bremen
Max Kruse was another shrewd summer purchase for Werder Bremen, who opted to bring the German forward back for a second stint seven years after he failed to carve out a career as a 21-year-old.
With years of experience and 14 caps with the German national team under his belt, Kruse made a wildly successful return. He exceeded his previous personal best of 12 goals by finding the back of the net 15 times and added seven assists in his first season back.
5. Naby Keita - RB Leipzig
Of all the stars to emerge from Leipzig's odds-defying campaign, Naby Keita might attract the most attention among teams in search of a defensive midfielder with a taste for goals.
After joining Leipzig from sister club Salzburg, Keita flourished under manager Ralph Hasenhuttl in a system that exhibited his dynamism and creativity down the spine of Leipzig's midfield.
4. Andrej Kramaric - Hoffenheim
Hoffenheim's incredible season, after being on the brink of relegation a year before, can largely be attributed to Andrej Kramaric's breakout performance. The 25-year-old Croatian international was a revelation during his first full campaign in the Bundesliga, with his 15 goals helping Hoffenheim secure a place in the top four and a chance to play in the Champions League next season.
3. Ousmane Dembele - Borussia Dortmund
Before Kylian Mbappe, the football world couldn’t help but notice another one of France's top prospects as Ousmane Dembele regularly embarrassed the competition to open his Dortmund career.
A mix of lightning speed and superb vision saw the 20-year-old wreak havoc on defensive units, who often looked overwhelmed whenever Dembele came flying down the wing.
With time on his side, Dembele is on pace to evolve into one of the game’s elite players if he can further develop his goal-scoring prowess and add to an arsenal of skills that already includes a superb ability to adapt to challenges and create opportunities with the level of comfort normally seen by established professionals.
2. Mats Hummels - Bayern Munich
Teams throughout Germany were faced with a monumental challenge when Mats Hummels made the switch from Dortmund to Bayern Munich.
The transition was expected to be seamless with the prospect of Hummels lining up with his national team partner until injuries sidelined Jerome Boateng and ultimately limited the pair to just seven Bundesliga matches together.
The task was undoubtedly made more difficult without one of the world's premier defenders. Hummels picked up the slack as the 29-year-old led a defence that opponents struggled to penetrate. Bayern finished the season with the fewest goals allowed for the sixth straight season.
1. Timo Werner - RB Leipzig
The goals kept on flowing for Timo Werner during an unbelievable debut season with Leipzig. The 21-year-old forward was a steady presence on the scoresheet throughout the 2016-17 campaign, finishing among the Bunesliga's top scorers.
Following his transfer from Stuttgart last summer, Werner eventually managed to catch the attention of Germany manager Joachim Low, who awarded him with his first cap during a March friendly against England.
It was a reward for one of the country's most promising players whose development at such a young age suggests Werner should eclipse his 21-goal mark next season after proving his competence as an elite forward.
(Photos courtesy: Action Images)