Bundesliga Team of the Season so far

The 25-year-old goalkeeper only joined Werder Bremen from Slavia Prague in the summer, but has already become one of the Riverislanders' key players as they look to battle relegation from the Bundesliga. Werder have had problems all over the pitch, but between the sticks is not one of them, as the Czech stopper's heroics have earned them valuable points. Despite sitting 16th, they have conceded the third fewest goals in the German top-flight.

Both Manchester clubs, Everton, Chelsea, Liverpool, in fact, most of the top-half of the Premier League have been linked with left-back Philipp Max. The 24-year-old has provided more assists than any other player in the Bundesliga this season, and has been one of the key reasons why Augsburg have exceeded all expectations in 2017-18.

Naldo has been in the Bundesliga for 13 seasons, but might very well be having his best campaign ever at the age of 35. The Brazilian centre-back has been a rock in defence for Schalke, with his powerful performances at both ends of the pitch putting Domenico Tedesco's side in the top two at the winter break. Strangely enough, Tedesco is actually three years and two days younger than Naldo!

Senegal international defender Lamine Sane moved to the Bundesliga to join Werder Bremen from Bordeaux, but has so far been outshone by his younger brother Salif Sane. The 27-year-old centre-back has been immense in the air, and leads the league by winning 82 per cent of his aerial duels.

Replacing Philipp Lahm should have been difficult for Bayern Munich. The right-back played over 500 times for the Bavarians, won eight Bundesliga titles and lifted the Champions League before retiring last summer. But instead of a void at full-back, Bayern have inserted the best young player in German football, with the versatile 22-year-old flourishing under Jupp Heynckes to help Munich lead the league.

One of the signings of the season in the Bundesliga, Jamaica international Leon Bailey joined Bayer Leverkusen despite reported interest from Manchester United and Chelsea. The former Genk winger has had no problem acclimatising to German football, and despite being used as a wing-back as well as both a left- and right-winger, has put in consistently impressive performances with six goals and four assists to his name already.

Confederations Cup star Leon Goretzka's contract with Schalke expires in summer 2018, and the dynamic central midfielder is putting in the kind of performances that will surely earn him a move to a European giant. Bayern Munich are obviously linked, but Steffan Effenberg has backed him to succeed outside Germany if he decides to leave the Bundesliga.

The 21-year-old defensive midfielder has been such an instant success at Borrusia Monchengladbach, that he is already being compared to a recent club legend. A €10 million signing from Young Boys Bern, the Switzerland international is a tough-tackler who causes opposition midfielders headaches, and thus has earned the nickname 'Xhakaria' after Granit Xhaka.

Kingsley Coman's move from Juventus to Bayern Munich was only made permanent this summer, but already the 21-year-old has signed a new contract that will keep him at the Allianz Arena until 2023. Bayern were keen to tie down one of their best performers this season, as the young French winger leading the team in dribbles (more than Arjen Robben and Robert Lewandowski combined).

Borussia Dortmund have been inconsistent this season, with Peter Bosz already out of a job despite being appointed in the summer. However, one thing has stayed constant for BVB - Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang's ruthlessness in front of goal. No matter who was in charge of Dortmund, the Gabon striker continued to score goals, and is just two behind in the top scorer chart.

The Bundesliga's best striker continues to be the Bundesliga's best striker. Robert Lewandowski's wife may have hinted at a move to America to end his career, but the Poland international shows no signs of slowing down. Lewy has 15 league goals already in 2017-18, and looks set to hit the 30 goal mark for the third consecutive Bundesliga season.