Julian Draxler

Julian Draxler

Draxler training with Schalke 04 in 2015
Personal information
Full name Julian Draxler[1]
Date of birth (1993-09-20) 20 September 1993[1]
Place of birth Gladbeck, Germany
Height 1.87 m (6 ft 2 in)[2]
Playing position Winger
Club information
Current team
 VfL Wolfsburg
Number 10
Youth career
1998–2000 BV Rentfort
2000–2001 SSV Buer 07/28
2001–2011 Schalke 04
Senior career*
Years Team Apps† (Gls)†
2011–2015 Schalke 04 118 (18)
2015– VfL Wolfsburg 19 (5)
National team‡
2010–2011 Germany U18 8 (1)
2011 Germany U19 2 (1)
2011 Germany U21 1 (1)
2012– Germany 17 (1)

* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only and correct as of 17:32, 5 March 2016 (UTC).
† Appearances (goals)

‡ National team caps and goals correct as of 15:03, 30 March 2016 (UTC)

Julian Draxler (German pronunciation: [ˈjuːli̯aːn 'dʁakslɐ]; born 20 September 1993) is a German professional footballer who plays as a left winger for VfL Wolfsburg and the Germany national football team. He is known for his ability to use both feet,[3] his speed,[4] and the power of his shot.[5]

Draxler made his Bundesliga debut for Schalke 04 aged 17 in January 2011, and in May of that year scored the first goal as the side won the DFB-Pokal Final. In total, he played 171 competitive matches for Schalke, scoring 30 goals, before transferring to Wolfsburg in 2015. A full international since 2012, he was part of the German side which won the 2014 FIFA World Cup.

Club career

Schalke 04

Draxler with Schalke in 2011

Draxler made his Bundesliga debut on 15 January 2011 in a 0–1 loss to Hamburg. At that time, he was the fourth youngest Bundesliga player ever.[6] One week later, in Schalke's 1–0 win against Hannover 96, he became the second youngest field player after Nuri Şahin to ever start a Bundesliga game.

On 25 January 2011, Julian Draxler came on as a substitute for Peer Kluge in the quarter finals of the DFB-Pokal against Nürnberg in the second half of extra time. He scored his first goal for Schalke 04 in the dying seconds of the game to win the match 3–2 for his club.[7] He scored his first goal in the Bundesliga on 1 April 2011 against St. Pauli.[8] Draxler opened the scoring in Schalke's 2011 DFB-Pokal Final victory over MSV Duisburg, volleying in from outside the area, scoring the first of what proved to be five unanswered goals for Schalke.[9] Draxler finished the 2010–11 season with a goal in 15 league appearances, two goals in three German Cup appearances, and six Champions League appearances.[10]

In the 2011–12 season, Draxler played an important part in securing third place and Champions League qualification for Schalke,[11] appearing in 30 of 34 league games,[12] mainly on the left side of midfield to accommodate Lewis Holtby in a central role. He also had a goal in two German Cup matches,[12] two goals in the Europa League,[12] and an appearance in the German Super Cup.[13]

The following season, Draxler continued to prove himself to be an important first team player, scoring in matches against Greuther Fürth,[14] Werder Bremen,[15] Borussia Mönchengladbach,[16] and in a high-scoring 5–4 victory against Hannover 96.[17] Draxler continued to play an important role after Holtby's departure and the signing of Michel Bastos, allowing Draxler to impress in his favoured attacking midfield position, including two goals in a 4–1 victory at Wolfsburg.[18] While scoring in a 2–1 win to complete a league double over rivals Borussia Dortmund, Draxler became Schalke's youngest ever player to appear in 100 competitive games.[19] On 3 May, he scored the game's only goal as Schalke beat Borussia Mönchengladbach 1–0 at Borussia-Park.[20] Draxler finished the 2012/13 season as Schalke's joint top goal scorer in the league along with Klaas-Jan Huntelaar after finishing the season with 10 goals.[21] He also scored two goals in three German Cup matches and a goal in six Champions League matches.[21]

In May 2013, amid rumours of interest from English Premier League clubs as well as from Borussia Dortmund, Draxler extended his contract for a further two years, until 30 June 2018.[22] On 2 October 2013, Draxler scored the only goal in an away game against Basel in the 2013–14 UEFA Champions League, and his goal resulted in a 1–0 victory for Schalke. This win took Schalke 04 to the top of their group. In the final match of the Champions League group stage, Draxler opened the scoring for Schalke in a 2–0 victory against Basel, taking them through to the knock-out stages of the tournament.[23] He finished the 2013–14 season with two goals in 26 appearances in the Bundesliga, two appearances in the German Cup, and four goals in 10 appearances in Champions League.[24] He would go on to score two goals in 19 appearances in all competitions in the following season.[25]

On 27 July 2015, Schalke rejected a bid of €15 million from Juventus, after reports that the Italian side and Draxler had already agreed personal terms. General manager Horst Heldt felt the offer was far too low and informed Juventus that there would be no further talks.[26] On 31 August 2015, Draxler signed for Wolfsburg.[27] His final match was a 3–0 loss to Wolfsburg three days prior to the transfer.[28] He finished his 2015–16 account for Schalke with a goal in three league matches and a German Cup match.[29]

Wolfsburg

On 31 August 2015, Draxler signed for Wolfsburg on a five-year deal for an undisclosed fee.[27]

In the last 16 of the 2015–16 UEFA Champions League against Gent, Draxler scored twice in a 3–2 away win in the first leg; on 8 March in the second at the Volkswagen Arena, he assisted André Schürrle for the only goal of the game as Wolfsburg reached the quarter-finals for the first time.[30]

International career

Draxler warming the bench for Germany in September 2012

On 9 August 2011, Draxler scored on his debut for the Germany U-21 side in the 4–1 win over Cyprus U-21 in a 2013 UEFA European Under-21 Football Championship qualifier.[31]

On 7 May 2012, he was one of two uncapped players called up into the provisional squad for the UEFA Euro 2012 senior side for Germany. [32] On 26 May 2012, Draxler made his debut for the senior side playing in Germany's 5–3 loss to Switzerland, coming on as a substitute replacing Lukas Podolski in the 62nd minute. His first international goal was scored on 2 June 2013 in a friendly against the United States. The goal was scored in the 81st minute to bring the score to 3–4, finishing a rebound off goalkeeper Tim Howard.

Draxler captained Germany in a goalless friendly against Poland in Hamburg on 13 May 2014, a match in which seven of his teammates were debutants.[33]

In June 2014, he was named in Germany's 23-man squad for the 2014 FIFA World Cup.[34] Draxler made his first World Cup appearance as a 76th-minute substitute for Sami Khedira in the semi-final 7–1 victory over Brazil.

Playing style

Draxler is both footed[3] and known for his speed and intensity in one-on-one situations.[4] He is mainly deployed as a left winger but he can also be deployed as a right winger and as an attacking midfielder.[35] In his Schalke youth career, Draxler was deployed mainly as an attacking midfielder where he always felt most at home.[35][36] In addition, Draxler is known for possessing a powerful and impressive shot.[5]

In January 2014, he was named by The Observer as one of the ten most promising young players in Europe.[37]

FIFA's official website describes Draxler as "tall, fast, with a keen eye for goal, and an exceptional talent in one-on-one situations from his regular position as a left-sided attacking midfielder".[38]

Personal life

Draxler attended the Heisenberg-Gymnasium in Gladbeck before changing to Gesamtschule Berger Feld in 2011.[39] In his childhood he would regularly go with his father to watch Schalke's home matches and since then has been a fan of the club.[40]

Career statistics

Club

As of 5 March 2016
Club Season League Cup1 Continental2 Other3 Total Ref.
League Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals
Schalke 04 2010–11 Bundesliga 15 1 3 2 6 0 — 24 3 [10]
2011–12 30 2 2 1 13 2 1 0 46 5 [12][13]
2012–13 30 10 3 2 6 1 — 39 13 [21]
2013–14 26 2 2 0 10 4 38 6 [24]
2014–15 15 2 1 0 3 0 19 2 [25]
2015–16 3 1 1 0 0 0 4 1 [29]
Totals 119 18 12 5 38 7 1 0 170 30 —
Wolfsburg 2015–16 Bundesliga 19 5 2 0 6 3 0 0 27 8 [29]
Career totals 138 23 14 5 44 10 1 0 197 38 —

International

National teamYearApp.GoalsRef.
Germany national team
201230 [41]
201371
201460
201610
Total171
Last updated: 29 March 2016

International goals

Scores and results list Germanys' goal tally first.
# Date Venue Opponent Score Result Competition
1. 2 June 2013 RFK Memorial Stadium, Washington, D.C., United States  United States 3–4 3–4 Friendly match

Honours

Club

Schalke 04[42]

International

Germany[42]

Individual

References

  1. 1 2 "2014 FIFA World Cup Brazil: List of Players" (PDF). FIFA. 11 June 2014. p. 16. Retrieved 11 June 2014.
  2. ↑ "Julian Draxler". sportsmole. Retrieved 6 June 2014.
  3. 1 2 "Julian Draxler macht im Derby die 100 voll" [Julian Draxler makes in Derby the 100 fully]. rp-online.de (in German) (Rheinische Post). 8 March 2013. Retrieved 5 September 2014.
  4. 1 2 "Löw zaubert Draxler aus dem Hut" [Löw conjure Draxler out of the hat]. kicker.de (in German) (kicker). 7 May 2012. Retrieved 5 September 2014.
  5. 1 2 "Tag acht in Doha: Draxler hat den härtesten Schuss – Lazarett lichtet sich" [Day eight in Doha: Draxler has the hardest shot – hospital thins out]. schalke04.de (in German). 10 January 2013. Retrieved 5 September 2014.
  6. ↑ Niblock, Gary (15 January 2011). "Schalke Starlet Julian Draxler Becomes Fourth Youngest Ever Bundesliga Player". goal.com. Retrieved 17 April 2011.
  7. ↑ "Schalke 04 vs Nürnberg Report". goal.com. 25 January 2011. Retrieved 17 April 2011.
  8. ↑ "Schalke’s Julian Draxler proud to score first Bundesliga goal against St Pauli". goal.com. 2 April 2011. Retrieved 17 April 2011.
  9. ↑ Whitney, Clark (21 May 2011). "Duisburg 0–5 Schalke: Royal Blues lift German Cup". goal.com. Retrieved 23 July 2011.
  10. 1 2 "Julian Draxler". kicker.de (in German). kicker. Retrieved 1 September 2015.
  11. ↑ "1. Bundesliga – Spieltag / Tabelle". kicker.de (in German). kicker. Retrieved 1 September 2015.
  12. 1 2 3 4 "Julian Draxler". kicker.de (in German). kicker. Retrieved 1 September 2015.
  13. 1 2 "Fährmann bringt BVB zur Verzweiflung" (in German). kicker. 23 July 2011. Retrieved 1 September 2015.
  14. ↑ "Holtby nimmt Fürth endgültig den Mut" (in German). kicker. 15 September 2012. Retrieved 1 September 2015.
  15. ↑ "Neustädter leitet die Wende ein, Draxler stellt sie fertig" (in German). kicker. 10 November 2012. Retrieved 1 September 2015.
  16. ↑ "Draxler erlöst den FC Schalke" (in German). kicker. 1 December 2012. Retrieved 1 September 2015.
  17. ↑ "Wahnsinn auf Schalke! 5:4 gegen Hannover" (in German). kicker. 18 January 2013. Retrieved 1 September 2015.
  18. ↑ "Draxler-Gala in Wolfsburg" (in German). kicker. 2 March 2013. Retrieved 1 September 2015.
  19. ↑ "Draxler: "It doesn't get much better"". bundesliga.com. 10 March 2013. Retrieved 4 October 2013.
  20. ↑ Whitney, Clark (3 May 2013). "Gladbach 0–1 Schalke – Draxler nets the winner". Schalke04.de. Retrieved 4 May 2013.
  21. 1 2 3 "Julian Draxler". kicker.de (in German). kicker. Retrieved 1 September 2015.
  22. ↑ "Julian Draxler ends Dortmund rumours with new Schalke deal". BBC Sport. 10 May 2013. Retrieved 22 May 2014.
  23. ↑ "Schalke secure spot in last 16". ESPN FC. 12 December 2013. Retrieved 13 December 2013.
  24. 1 2 "Draxler, Julian" (in German). kicker.de. Retrieved 4 October 2013.
  25. 1 2 "Julian Draxler". kicker.de (in German). kicker. Retrieved 1 September 2015.
  26. ↑ Gladwell, Ben (3 August 2015). "Schalke reject bid for Julian Draxler, shut door on talks with Juventus". ESPN FC. Retrieved 3 August 2015.
  27. 1 2 "Wolfsburg sign defender Dante and midfielder Julian Draxler". BBC Sport. 31 August 2015. Retrieved 31 August 2015.
  28. ↑ "Wolfsburgs Doppelschlag setzt Schalke K.o." (in German). kicker. 28 August 2015. Retrieved 1 September 2015.
  29. 1 2 3 "Julian Draxler » Club matches". World Football. Retrieved 1 September 2015.
  30. ↑ "VfL Wolfsburg 1-0 KAA Gent". BBC Sport. 8 March 2016. Retrieved 9 March 2016.
  31. ↑ "Holtby sets Germany on course for Cyprus win". UEFA. 9 August 2011. Retrieved 19 December 2011.
  32. ↑ "Löw zaubert Draxler aus dem Hut". kicker.de. 7 May 2012. Retrieved 7 May 2012.
  33. ↑ "Germany 0–0 Poland". European Football. Retrieved 13 October 2014.
  34. ↑ "Germany World Cup 2014 squad". The Telegraph. 2 June 2014. Retrieved 22 June 2014.
  35. 1 2 Kölsch, Heik (19 July 2012). "Draxler will "Zehner-Rolle" bei Schalke 04" [Draxler's "Ten" role at Schalke 04]. goal.com (in German) (Goal.com). Retrieved 5 September 2014.
  36. ↑ Leszinski, Frank (24 January 2013). "Draxler im Interview – "Ich bin kein Heuchler"" [Draxler Interview – "I'm not a hypocrite"]. recklinghaeuser-zeitung.de (in German). Retrieved 5 September 2014.
  37. ↑ "The next 10 big things: Europe's top youngsters and stars of the future". The Guardian. 18 January 2014. Retrieved 20 January 2014.
  38. ↑ "Julian DRAXLER". FIFA. Retrieved 5 August 2014.
  39. ↑ "Schalker Draxler ab Mitte Februar wieder Schüler" [Schalke's Draxler from mid-February again student]. Focus (in German). 11 February 2011. Retrieved 3 January 2012.
  40. ↑ Jamie Rainbow (13 September 2011). "Talent scout: Julian Draxler". worldsoccer.com. World Soccer. Retrieved 5 September 2014.
  41. ↑ "Julian Draxler". National Football Teams. Retrieved 13 July 2014.
  42. 1 2 "J. Draxler". Soccerway. Retrieved 5 September 2014.
  43. ↑ Whitney, Clark (22 July 2011). "Bayern Munich's Emre Can, Schalke's Julian Draxler & Borussia Monchengladbach's Marc-Andre ter Stegen honoured with 2011 Fritz Walter Medals". goal.com. Retrieved 23 July 2011.
  44. ↑ "Draxler erhält Preis für das Tor des Jahres" (in German). sportschau.de. 1 February 2014. Retrieved 5 February 2014.
  45. ↑ Anderson, Cammy (21 April 2014). "Analysing Julian Draxler". Vavel. Retrieved 17 March 2015.

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