Kicker rankings: Bailey excels

Leon Bailey is top of the pops. The Jamaican is not only rated as the best Bundesliga player by Kicker and Bild Zeitung but he also clearly leads the Kicker rankings of 'Wingers' ahead of the Bayern stars Coman and Robben. Bailey is in the 'International class' category and the panel deemed him to be "almost world class." Reasons for his nomination include: "Bailey is already an incredibly complete footballer for his young age. He is blessed with being fantastically quick, agile, full of tricks, quick thinking and able to read the game, and he makes almost no mistakes in positional play. In addition, he fulfils current defensive demands every winger faces with commitment and in an exemplary fashion."

Julian Brandt is in fifth position amongst wingers in the 'Up-and-coming’ category: "Brandt has played a considerable part in Leverkusen's wins in the two rounds of the DFB Cup against Karlsruhe and Union Berlin, and in the league he shone above all in the win at Borussia Mönchengladbach. His substitution at the time was a crucial reason for the comeback (5-1 after 0-1)." Like Brandt, Kevin Volland is also in the 'Up-and-coming’ category as the sixth-best striker behind Lewandowski, Aubameyang, Timo Werner, Uth and Finnbogason. The appraisal of the Werkself top scorer (nine league goals) includes: "The path to the international class is not very long for the powerful striker who is extremely valuable to his team." The 'Prospects' category of strikers once again also includes Lucas Alario. In the view of the Kicker editors, Kai Havertz is ninth in the 'Up-and-coming’ category of attacking midfielders. The reasoning: "Kai Havertz is incredibly mature considering he is just 18 years old. Calm on the ball, excellent technique, great understanding of the game and ability in the air are all characteristics of the Leverkusen youngster. He is creative in a range of positions: attacking midfield on the right, as a false nine or in defensive midfield."

There are even three Bayer 04 holding midfielders in the rankings. Lars Bender and Charles Aránguiz are in positions two and three in the 'international class' with FC Bayern's Javi Martinez leading the way, and Dominik Kohr is in the 'Prospects' category. In their assessment of the Werkself skipper Lars Bender, the panel says: "He makes the race for the title exciting but in the end Martinez narrowly won out in the crucial vote.

Bender has rediscovered his best form in the first half of the season. He is very consistent, is reliability personified and that is reflected in the best marks of all his rivals… He was ranked ahead of Aránguiz due to his attacking strength (two goals, four assists)."

The verdict on the Chilean: "He has risen to being the main man in the Bayer midfield. His technical ability enables him to control the game from holding midfield like a playmaker and he has produced some outstanding performances." Dominik Kohr was also explicitly mentioned: "The new signing from Augsburg impressed at the end of the first half of the season with his running and great commitment."

In the 'Full backs’ category, Wendell is ninth best in the 'Up-and-coming’ category: "The Brazilian was somewhat unlucky at the beginning and end of the first half of the season but he was certainly flying high in between. The Bayer pro stands out with his dynamism in attack and he has been less awkward in defence compared with recent seasons."

Amongst the central defenders, Jonathan Tah is in fourth place in the 'Up-and-coming' category, Sven Bender is in the 'Prospects' category. On Tah: "The Leverkusen player is consistent in the league and has sttod out with his imposing physique in tackles and aerial duels. Improved in transition play." Last but not least, Germany goalkeeper Bernd Leno is mentioned amongst the goalkeepers as he is every six months, this time as 11th in the 'Up-and-coming’ category. The reasoning: "Leno has again shown his familiar impressive form in recent weeks. But there were too many ups and downs beforehand."