How midfielder Gross turning into Germany's new Kroos

BERLIN: Pascal Gross had settled into life in southern England after seven years with Premier League side Brighton & Hove Albion. But in the spring of 2024, a call from Borussia Dortmund changed everything for the 33-year-old midfielder, offering a unique opportunity that turned his world upside down.

Joining a UEFA Champions League team and earning a place in Germany's national team, Gross seized his chance. Known for his quiet yet aggressive leadership, Gross has quickly become a crucial asset for coach Julian Nagelsmann, as Germany prepare for their UEFA Nations League match against the Netherlands this Tuesday evening in Amsterdam.

Gross's rapid rise in the national team has positioned him as the orchestrator of Germany's new-look squad following the retirements of Toni Kroos, Manuel Neuer, Thomas Muller and Ilkay Gundogan. While younger players like Jamal Musiala, Florian Wirtz, and Aleksandar Pavlovic represent the future of German football, Gross has emerged as a key veteran presence from outside the spotlight.

The experienced midfielder's low-key approach to public attention made it easy for Nagelsmann to integrate him into the team after his debut in September 2023. The Germany coach even appointed him to the players' leadership board. While Bayern Munich's Pavlovic may eventually take over the midfield, Gross is currently guiding the team's rising stars toward the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

"There are players like James Milner who have played in the Premier League for over 20 years, living a fully professional life every single day," Gross said, also referencing the influence of experienced former teammates like Adam Lallana and Danny Welbeck. "Their attitude has been overwhelmingly inspiring."

Returning to the German Bundesliga felt like unfinished business for Gross, who spent his early career in Germany's second division with Karlsruhe and Ingolstadt. Now, he is bringing the discipline and hard work of the "old" generation to a team full of young talent.

With a passing accuracy of over 90 percent, Gross gained recognition at Brighton as a reliable playmaker. His role in Germany's 5-0 victory over Hungary in the Nations League demonstrated his ability to step into a leadership role in the midfield.

Despite the high expectations that come with succeeding Kroos, Gross is steadily finding his footing as the new midfield leader of the German national team.