Volland improving with Hoffenheim
Munich - In a year when Germany coach Joachim Löw will be taking an even more scrupulous look at the Bundesliga as he forms his squad for next summer’s FIFA World Cup, chances will be abound for fresh talent to stake a late claim for inclusion.
No pressure
The examples of Borussia Mönchengladbach's and Bayer 04 Leverkusen’s Sidney Sam are there for all to see, and follow. The duo have been rewarded for excellent starts to the Bundesliga season with call-ups to the for the forthcoming World Cup qualifiers. On current form, 1899 Hoffenheim’s Kevin Volland should also refrain from booking a summer holiday next year just yet.
Currently part of Germany’s Under-21 squad, Volland is undoubtedly one of the fringe candidates Löw will be keeping a close eye on, even if a step up to the seniors is not currently one of Volland's priorities at present. “I’m not putting myself under any pressure about it,” the attacker told dfb.de. “I just want to play well for the U-21s and try to give my best for my club.”
He has done precisely that so far with three goals and one assist in Hoffenheim’s first four games of the season. The No31 also played in each of the club’s 34 Bundesliga games in 2012/13, plus the post-season play-off. Still only 21, Volland has accumulated a remarkable amount of experience - with 57 Bundesliga 2 games also under his belt - and already speaks like a seasoned veteran.
Best surroundings for growth
“I'm young and can still get better,” he said. “There’s still plenty of room for improvement and what happens in the future is purely down to me. Every player is responsible for himself.” Volland is true to his word, sticking with Hoffenheim this summer despite interest from other clubs.
“It’s true, I did have offers, but I can progress in the best possible way in Hoffenheim,” the Bavarian native said. “Our training centre is magnificent and it's where I, as a young player, can develop. On top of that, I like the way our coach Markus Gisdol wants football to be played. I can really identify with it.”
Bright future for Hoffenheim
That much has been clear for all to see, and yet, despite the positive start, the ambitious forward is not one to rest on his laurels. “We’ve got five points already and only the game against VfB last weekend was a bitter experience,” he said. “That should never happen again, but overall, we had a good pre-season with our young team and I’m convinced that we can compete with any opponent. The last six games under Gisdol have all shown what is possible.”
So too has Löw’s . If Volland's upward trajectory continues as it has been, future announcements for the senior set-up may well become increasingly interesting for him.
