No need to rate him just for that. He was a very good player too. Shame he was built like Sturridge though, the lad could never stay fit for toffee. If he did he'd probably be up there with Podolski. Lahm and the Manc midfielder in terms of crazy amounts of caps, especially considering the fact that left-back has been a problem position for the Germans for what seems like an eternity. Shame he's retiring at such a young age but credit to him for loving Hamburg to that extent we need more players like him in the current landscape.
I must say that I've always liked Jack Butland as a keeper. He's not the most acrobatic of keepers but he gets to the vast majority of shots that come his way and he commands his area really well for one so young. He could have a very bright future if he worked more on his distribution. Even then I think he'll make a fine successor to Hart for Engerland.
Jeff Schlupp at Leicester is a top 5 left back in the Premier League in my opinion. Fantastic engine, big and strong, very quick, solid defensively and he can put a cross in. He tends to switch off from time to time but if he cut the mental lapses he could be a world beater in that position.
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