Stuttgart's new Jungen Wilden making history | OneFootball

Jungen Wilden 2.0: how Stuttgart's young team could make history

It was a young core of players that fuelled their domestic success in the 2006/07 season, lifting the Meisterschale under Armin Veh, bundesliga.com looks at how Stuttgart's youth this season could make history once again...

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This season hasn't been as smooth sailing as the last one for Stuttgart who are sitting 10th in the Bundesliga standings ahead of matchday 27. Expectations were high at the MHPArena after the Swabians finished second in the top flight last season.

Injuries and a struggle to find consistency in results has them on the outside of the race for Europe and while a finish among the division's top-four places seems unlikely at this point, a string of positive results would propel Sebastian Hoeneß's team into Conference League or Europa League contention. What's more, the VfB coach has a young squad of talented players at his disposal to help achieve just that.

With an average age of 24.5, Stuttgart are the second youngest team in the Bundesliga behind Frankfurt, who are at 24.2, and what's more Stuttgart are currently on course to become the first team this milennium to go an entire season without fielding a player at the age of 30 or older.

Watch: VfB Stuttgart's journey from relegation trouble to the Champions League

The one player who could prevent this special achievement for Stuttgart is the number two goalkeeper Fabian Bredlow, who is yet to play a single minute of Bundesliga action this term, only appearing in the DFB Cup and the Champions League thus far.

Bredlow is also the oldest player in the squad, having celebrated his 30th birthday earlier this month (2 March). The next oldest in terms of age is Pascal Stenzel, who has recently turned 29 years old.

RB Leipzig under Ralf Rangnick came closest during the 2018/19 season to achieving this 'none-under-30' record, but had Stefan Ilsanker make an appearance on matchday 34, which was also the day the midfielder celebrated his 30th birthday.

Stuttgart's young Swabians, when on song, are a delight to watch.

Millot the malleable

The youngest of Stuttgart's regular players, 22-year-old Frenchman Enzo Millot, has been a fixture in Hoeneß's team since last season.

Across 25 appearances in the league, Millot has scored four times and assisted a further four, making him the third best goal contributor in the squad behind Nick Woltemade and Ermedin Demirović, who have already reached double figures for goals and assists.

What's more impressive about Millot is the spread of matches he has played in different positions this term. His versatility is valuable to Stuttgart's system, within which he has played in central midfield, both left and right flank as well as attacking midfield. Bringing intensity and technique to the table, his manager Hoeneß is certainly a big fan.

"The lad is blessed with extraordinary gifts," said the Stuttgart boss after Millot's brace of assists in the 5-1 victory over Borussia Dortmund.

"He's not just a good footballer. He runs. He's aggressive in duels. He's got a lot to offer and needs to be talked about."

Watch: The best of Enzo Millot

Wolte-messi lighting up the MHPArena

Affectionately nicknamed Woltemessi for his skillful displays this season, Woltemade has been a revelation since joining Stuttgart on a free transfer last summer from Werder Bremen.

Leading the squad for goal contributions this term with nine goals and two assists in 21 appearances, Woltemade has made himself a fixture in the side alongside fellow attackers in Demirović and Deniz Undav.

Standing at 6"4', combined with a lanky frame, Woltemade is an awkward attacker for defenders to mark not only due to his size, but also his supreme ability with the ball. He has shown time and again, the ability to drive at markers, dribble past them and finish with composure. No wonder Stuttgart fans have been raving about him all season.

For Germany's U21 side, Woltemade pulled out all the tricks in his bag to score a hat-trick to beat Spain's U21 side in an international friendly, and manager Hoeneß believes all praise is justified.

"Nick is rightly being talked about very highly. He’s a very tall and gangly boy and yet he has very quick feet in tight spaces. He’s technically gifted and it’s difficult to defend against him," said Hoeneß.

Watch: The best of Nick Woltemade

From Stuttgart regulars to Germany regulars

In Angelo Stiller and Jamie Leweling, Stuttgart have two more names who complete the young spine of this side.

Stiller, who became a Bundesliga centurion this season is now a mainstay in Julian Nagelsmann's Germany set-up. Level with Stuttgart left-back Maximilian Mittelstädt on five assists this season, Stiller is the brains of the team's operation in midfield. Alongside Atakan Karazor in the double pivot, the 23-year-old Stiller is the starting point of attacking moves from deeper areas in midfield.

As for Leweling, whose rise has been rapid since leaving Union Berlin for Stuttgart, his direct style and work-rate out of possession has made him a useful player for club and country. Though he only has two assists and two goals this season, Leweling's contributions go well beyond goals and assists. Making selfless runs to stretch defences and help out defensively, thus making him the perfect team player.

Watch: Angelo Stiller's best passes

All in all, it is easy to see why Hoeneß was delighted to pen a new contract extension at Stuttgart recently, the coach eager to continue to work with one of the most talented young teams around.

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