Top 5 Bundesliga Players to Watch This Season
Identifying the hidden gems and established stars who could make the difference in your fantasy team this season.
The Bundesliga continues to be one of Europe's most exciting leagues, known for its high-scoring matches, passionate fans, and development of world-class talent. For fantasy managers, the German top flight offers exceptional value and numerous opportunities to gain an edge over competitors. This season, several players have emerged as particularly interesting prospects for fantasy success.
Why the Bundesliga Offers Fantasy Value
Before diving into our top picks, it's important to understand why the Bundesliga presents such compelling opportunities for fantasy managers. The league's style of play typically produces more goals than other top European leagues, with teams often employing attacking philosophies that lead to higher scores across the board.
Additionally, the Bundesliga has a reputation for promoting young talent, meaning breakout stars emerge each season. These players often start at lower price points, providing exceptional value as they establish themselves. The league also features several teams with distinct tactical approaches that consistently produce fantasy-relevant players in specific positions.
"The Bundesliga's attacking philosophy and development of young talent make it a goldmine for fantasy managers seeking value and differential picks."
Another factor to consider is the relatively affordable pricing of Bundesliga players compared to their counterparts in the Premier League or La Liga. This allows managers to build more balanced squads or allocate funds to premium options in other leagues while still fielding competitive Bundesliga assets.
Our Methodology for Selection
Selecting these five players involved careful analysis of multiple factors. We considered statistical performance from the current and previous seasons, underlying metrics like expected goals (xG) and expected assists (xA), tactical role within their teams, fixture difficulty, and potential for price appreciation.
We also looked at "narrative" factors—players with something to prove, those in contract years, or talents moving to new clubs where they might receive more playing time or a more advanced role. These situational factors often correlate with increased motivation and performance.
The Top 5 Bundesliga Players to Watch
1. Jamal Musiala (Bayern Munich)
Position: Midfielder | Price: €18.5M | Ownership: 22%
At just 20 years old, Musiala has already established himself as a key creative force for Bayern Munich. His dribbling success rate of 68% is among the highest in the league, and he's consistently involved in Bayern's attacking play. With increased responsibility following departures of other attacking players, Musiala is poised for his best season yet.
Key Stats (per 90): 2.3 key passes, 3.5 successful dribbles, 0.28 xG, 0.32 xA
Why he's valuable: Musiala offers both goal and assist threat from midfield, with bonus points for successful dribbles and chances created. His ownership is still relatively low compared to his potential output.
2. Victor Boniface (Bayer Leverkusen)
Position: Forward | Price: €15.2M | Ownership: 18%
The Nigerian striker has taken the Bundesliga by storm since his arrival. Standing at 6'3" with surprising agility, Boniface offers a complete forward package—strong in the air, comfortable with both feet, and excellent at linking play. Under Xabi Alonso's system, he's the focal point of Leverkusen's attack.
Key Stats (per 90): 4.1 shots, 0.52 xG, 7.2 aerial duels won, 1.2 key passes
Why he's valuable: Boniface offers premium forward production at a mid-tier price. His aerial ability provides an additional route to points through headed goals and assists.
3. Jeremie Frimpong (Bayer Leverkusen)
Position: Defender | Price: €16.8M | Ownership: 15%
Frimpong redefines what it means to be an attacking full-back in modern football. Deployed as a wing-back in Alonso's system, he essentially functions as an additional winger, constantly getting into advanced positions and creating chances. Despite being classified as a defender, his attacking returns rival those of midfielders.
Key Stats (per 90): 0.18 xG, 0.25 xA, 2.1 tackles, 1.8 key passes
Why he's valuable: Frimpong offers clean sheet potential plus significant attacking returns. His classification as a defender means he gets more points for goals and clean sheets than midfielders with similar output.
4. Xavi Simons (RB Leipzig)
Position: Midfielder | Price: €17.3M | Ownership: 12%
The Dutch wonderkid has been sensational since joining Leipzig on loan from PSG. Playing primarily as an attacking midfielder or right winger, Simons is directly involved in nearly all of Leipzig's attacking moves. His set-piece responsibility adds to his fantasy appeal.
Key Stats (per 90): 3.2 shots, 0.35 xG, 2.7 key passes, 0.29 xA
Why he's valuable: Simons offers explosive potential with both goal and assist threat. His ownership remains relatively low, making him an excellent differential option.
5. Kevin Behrens (Union Berlin)
Position: Forward | Price: €9.5M | Ownership: 8%
The ultimate budget enabler, Behrens has exceeded all expectations this season. The 32-year-old late bloomer has become Union Berlin's talisman, combining relentless work rate with surprising goal output. At his price point, he allows significant funds to be allocated elsewhere.
Key Stats (per 90): 3.5 shots, 0.41 xG, 5.3 aerial duels won, 1.5 tackles
Why he's valuable: Behrens offers starting forward production at a bargain price. His defensive work rate often earns bonus points for tackles and interceptions, unusual for a forward.
Tactical Considerations for Bundesliga Players
When selecting Bundesliga players for your fantasy team, it's crucial to understand the tactical context. German teams often employ distinct systems that significantly impact player roles and output.
For example, teams like Bayern Munich and RB Leipzig typically dominate possession and create numerous chances, making their attacking players particularly valuable. Meanwhile, teams like Union Berlin and Freiburg are more structured defensively, making their defenders and goalkeepers appealing for clean sheet potential.
It's also worth noting the Bundesliga's tendency for goalscoring to be distributed across multiple players rather than concentrated on one talisman. This means that midfielders and even defenders often contribute significantly to attacking returns.
Fixture Analysis and Planning
Smart fantasy managers don't just consider individual players—they also analyze upcoming fixtures. The Bundesliga fixture list has several factors to consider:
The winter break (typically from mid-December to mid-January) can affect player form and fitness. Additionally, teams involved in European competitions may rotate players around Champions League or Europa League matches, affecting their availability for league games.
When planning transfers, look for players with favorable fixture runs. The Bundesliga often has clear patterns where certain teams have easier schedules for 4-6 game stretches, providing opportunities to target specific assets.
Differential Picks for Ahead of the Curve
While the players listed above represent excellent options, truly advanced managers often look for differential picks before they become mainstream choices. Here are a few under-the-radar players worth monitoring:
Maximilian Beier (Hoffenheim): The young German striker has shown flashes of brilliance and could emerge as a budget option if given consistent minutes.
Lovro Majer (VfL Wolfsburg): The creative midfielder has set-piece responsibility and could thrive in Wolfsburg's system under Niko Kovač.
Castello Lukeba (RB Leipzig): The young defender has settled well and could offer value if Leipzig's defense continues to improve.
Conclusion: Building Your Bundesliga contingent
The Bundesliga offers fantasy managers exceptional opportunities to gain an edge through smart player selection. By focusing on players with strong underlying statistics, favorable tactical roles, and potential for price appreciation, you can build a competitive squad while allocating funds to premium assets in other leagues.
Remember that successful fantasy management involves continuous monitoring of player form, team news, and tactical developments. The Bundesliga's dynamic nature means new opportunities emerge throughout the season, so stay vigilant and be ready to pivot when necessary.
Whether you're building around established stars like Musiala or hunting for value options like Behrens, the German top flight has something to offer every type of fantasy manager. The key is balancing proven performers with emerging talent to create a squad capable of competing across all competitions.