Dutch legend Mark van Bommel has praised the current state of German football, and backed hisformer side Bayern Munich to win the Bundesliga again this season.
Van Bommel spent five years with the current Bundesliga champions, making 183 appearances and scoring 16 goals in all competitions. He also spent time with the likes of Barcelona and Milan before retiring in 2013.
Borussia Dortmund have improved in recent years andare now regarded as one of Europe's strongest teams, while the likes of Wolfsburg and BorussiaMonchengladbachhave also appeared in the Champions League in recent times, attracting bigger players. Van Bommel has admitted he has been impressed with how the league has become more attractive internationally.
"It's got better and better since I left Bayern in 2011, especially in terms of its reach," van Bommel told theofficial Bundesliga website.
"Before, only Bayern could attract the top players. Now Borussia Dortmund, FC Schalke 04and Bayer 04 Leverkusen 04 can, too. When I was on World Cup qualifying duty with Saudi Arabia, I only heard positive things about German football."
Van Bommel also backed Dortmund and Leipzig to battle for the title this year, but ultimately the 39-year-old can only see one winner to this years Bundesliga.
"Bayern will be champions, I'm sure of that. Then I see Dortmund in second and Leipzig in third. Surprising, isn't it? But that's my tip," van Bommel revealed.
"I'm pretty sure Bayern will dominate the Bundesliga for years to come. To break the domination, Dortmund, for example, would have to have everything go right for them.
"Right now, I think the gap is still too big and that Bayern's squad is too well stocked and experienced for their road to the title to be in danger."