Described as "A godsend," by coach Jupp Heynckes and "Man of the Year" by Thomas Müller, Bayern Munich stand-in goalkeeper Sven Ulreich has significantly enhanced his chances of travelling to Russia as part of Germany's FIFA World Cup winning squad following a thus far outstanding club campaign.
Aware of the situation that faced him when joining the Bavarian giants from Stuttgart in 2015, the 29-year-old - who made 176 Bundesliga appearances for The Swabians - accepted his role as back-up to the world's No.1 custodian, Manuel Neuer. Yet in this, his third season at Säbener Straße, Ulreich was handed an opportunity to fill in for the injured Germany supremo, and put a nervous start behind him to excel.
Watch: Sven Ulreich saved a last minute penalty against former side Stuttgart this season!
The question now being asked is: should Joachim Löw include Sven Ulreich among his goalkeepers for the defending world champions' tilt at a fifth world crown?
"Sven has put in some solid performances for Bayern over recent months," Die Mannschaft's coach said after witnessing one more fine display from Ulreich in Bayern's Matchday 22 win at second-placed Schalke. "He's particularly strong in one-on-one situations and has also improved in footballing terms. We have him on our radar for Russia."
On Ulreich's radar following his 41 appearances in all competitions in 2017/18 an incredible treble of Bundesliga, UEFA Champions League and DFB Cup can be spotted.
The first title on that list already secured, the former Germany Under-21 international is readying himself for a European heavyweight semi-final against Real Madrid while there is a domestic cup final in May against Eintracht Frankfurt to look forward to.
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