Up and Coming European Talents: Jule Brand
The series of articles that focuses on the most promising talents across Europe returns. As well as focusing on the best players from the men’s game, we will also look at the brightest up and coming talents in the women’s game. First up is Jule Brand.
Name: Jule Brand
Age: 19
Position: Midfielder
Current Club: TSG 1899 Hoffenheim
Frauen-Bundesliga’s breakout star
One of the rising stars of German football, if not European football is Hoffenheim’s Jule Brand. The German international has emerged as one of the star players for her club side.
Last season, she contributed significantly to her side’s third-place finish in the Frauen-Bundesliga, which ensured Champions League qualification.
The German sensation assisted six league goals for her club side last term – the only other Hoffenheim player to have more assists in the Frauen-Bundesliga was Tabea Waßmuth.
Impressively, the youngster also chipped in with four league goals last season, making her the third-highest scorer in the league for Hoffenheim.
Although she is still awaiting her first goal and assist in the league this term, she has been pivotal in Hoffenheim’s progress in the Champions League, scoring twice in this season’s competition.
Embed from Getty ImagesA defender’s nightmare
She is a player that is confident in using either foot, and Brand can drive with the ball at pace, while displaying neat footwork to leave opposition defenders in her wake.
All this was demonstrated against Valur in August when Brand played a major role in the Hoffenheim winner. After picking up the ball on the left-wing, she drove with purpose, demonstrating great control and balance, before she unleashed a strike from distance, which deflected into the path of Nicole Billa, who slotted the ball home.
Despite being only 19, it is refreshing to see a player, who has the confidence and ability to drift past players at will, which shows her fearlessness that despite being in the early stages of her career, Brand wants to affect games, and to contribute significantly to her team’s success.
Embed from Getty ImagesInternational Pedigree
Excitingly for German football, the 19-year-old has started to showcase her talents on the national stage. In April this year, she scored her first goal for the national team in a friendly against Australia.
What made the goal so special was that it came two minutes into her international debut after being introduced from the bench. The debutant accelerated from the Australian defence, before demonstrating great composure to slot the ball home with her left foot.
She has continued to shine for the German national team, scoring twice in the most recent international break in a 7-0 win over Israel in World Cup qualification.
Embed from Getty ImagesWhat next?
The German prospect is certainly a player to watch over the next few years and she has the potential to be a star in next year’s Euros.
There is the subplot of whether Hoffenheim will be able to keep hold of the rising star, with the possibility that she could attract interest domestically or from other clubs around Europe.
As with every young player, there is room to develop, but at this early stage of her career, Brand is already one of the most exciting players to watch in the Frauen-Bundesliga.
