Bayern Munich legend Lothar Matthaus has suggested that Bundesliga youngsters Serge Gnabry and Julian Brandt have the ability to replace Arjen Robben and Franck Ribery once they move on from the club.
In his column for German news outletBild Sport, the 55-year-old has been speaking of the future stars for the Bundesliga champions after questioning how long both Robben (32) and Ribery (33) can sustain their world class performances for Munich on the pitch, and has pointed out two which could step up to the plate, although he admits they still need further experience at their current clubs.
"I see two German players who have the potentialin the Bundesliga," said Matthaus.
"WerderBremen's Serge Gnabry (21) and Bayer Leverkusen's Julian Brandt (20).
"Gnabry is about to establish itself in the Bundesliga. They say, Bayern have the ex-Arsenal pro parked in Bremen, to bring him to a development phase to Munich. That would be a clever move. I predict now: In one or two years Gnabry is a rocket.
"Performance-wise, the Leverkusen's Brandton all fours is currently the most consistent.
"However, because of their age, there is agood argument to extend with Robben and Ribéry, because both need more time and match practice."
Matthaus also spoke of current club youngsters Douglas Costa and Kingsley Coman, suggesting that despite showing potential, the pair need to perform at a more consistent basis to break into the first XI.
"Costa has shown just in his first six months in Munich that he had the necessary potential, but can he show these performances consistently?" continued Matthaus.
"It is similar with Coman. Behind his future I can still see a small question mark. The Frenchman, however young, has already shown at Juventus and the French national team that he's got potential."