Commentating on the Bundesliga weekly is a true delight for many reasons, with one of the most compelling being the chance to cover a league known for its attacking prowess and high-caliber play.
This week, I reflected on the most impactful attackers in the Oberhaus this season. My selections are subjective and based solely on performances in the Bundesliga, highlighting players that have stood out, some of whom might take you by surprise.
It’s no surprise that the England captain continues to be a phenomenal Bereicherung (enrichment) for Germany’s Rekordmeister. Kane’s excellence shines through without an air of arrogance; he exhibits an attitude of “this is my calling, and I’m genuinely enjoying my time in Munich.” You can see the joy on his face as he consistently finds inventive ways to challenge opposing defenses in a league he loves.
Kane burst onto the scene with an impressive lupenreiner Hattrick (three goals in a single half without any interference from other players) in the opener against RB Leipzig and followed up with another Dreierpack (a typical three-goal performance) against TSG Hoffenheim during Matchday 4.
Kane’s diverse skill set—be it his precision as a striker or his flair as a playmaker—has placed him far ahead of the competition. If he can maintain his fitness, he might just surpass Robert Lewandowski‘s record of 41 goals in a single season, set back in the 2019-20 campaign.
2. Michael Olise | Bayern Munich | 6 goals in 11 games, 6 assists
Technically brilliant, Olise, a 23-year-old France international, has replicated what Arjen Robben excelled at during his peak years at Bayern: you know he’ll cut in from the right onto his preferred left foot, but stopping him is another challenge altogether.
Olise netted the opening goal of the season in the Auftaktspiel (opener) versus Leipzig, scoring twice in that game. He continued to shine in the recent 6-2 victory against SC Freiburg, contributing another two goals despite Bayern initially falling behind by two.
His impact isn’t limited to scoring; he has already provided six assists this season, positioning him well to match his impressive tally of 15 assists from last season, which led the Bundesliga.
During last weekend’s match, where I commentated on Eintracht’s thrilling 4-3 win against FC Cologne, I shared the booth with former Bundesliga and Premier League player Moritz Volz, now an assistant coach at Hoffenheim.
Following a strong second-half performance, Moritz pointed out that, in terms of goal-scoring capability and instinct, the former Mainz striker resembles Kane closely. While he’s not quite at Kane’s level yet, he’s on an encouraging path, netting three braces in five matches and showing promise for even more. At 25, he could be a standout player for Germany in the upcoming World Cup in North America.
4. Said El Mala | FC Cologne | 4 goals in 11 games, 2 assists
Cologne manager Lukas Kwasniok has called El Mala, a 19-year-old prodigy, his Goldjunge (golden boy), and it’s easy to understand why. Having impressed club scout Valentin Schäfer while playing in the 3. Liga, El Mala has quickly become one of the most sought-after talents in German football, thanks to a series of outstanding displays for the Bundesliga Aufsteiger (promoted team).
Adept with both feet, El Mala predominantly plays on the left flank. Kwasniok has been careful not to overload his young star, often utilizing him as a substitute. When El Mala does score, he tends to do so in memorable fashion, nearly turning the tide for his team after coming on down 4-1 against Eintracht.
Bundestrainer Julian Nagelsmann has already introduced El Mala to the Germany national team, and this is just the beginning of what should be an exciting career ahead.
5. Assan Ouédraogo | RB Leipzig | 3 goals in 11 games
While some may argue that Bayern’s Luis Díaz should be in my top five, a recent Formtief (form dip) led me to select another impressive young German player instead.
Ouédraogo, who came up through the Schalke academy, the Knappenschmiede, has thrived with Leipzig this season after earning a spot in Ole Werner’s starting lineup on Matchday 4.
He made his senior national team debut as a substitute during the 6-0 win against Slovakia, marking the occasion by becoming the youngest debutant scorer since Klaus Stürmer in 1954 just two minutes into the match.
Sadly, the talented Ouédraogo is now facing an extended recovery period due to a knee injury sustained in the latest match against Werder Bremen. Fans are hopeful he will return with vigor to add to the excitement in North America.