Teenage star Niklas Dorsch says he has learned from Toni Kroos as he awaits his breakthrough at Bayern Munich.
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The precocious 19-year-old, who in 2015 was awarded the Fritz-Walter medal, for the best Under-17 player, has yet to make his debut at senior level for Carlo Ancelotti’s side.
However, Dorsch has impressed for Bayern’s youth sides, playing as both a defensive midfielder and as a centre-back, and has won caps for Germany at U15, U17 and U19 level.
Dorsch has also trained with the first-team at the Allianz Arena and appears primed to make his debut in the coming months.
Ahead of his inclusion in the Goal NxGn – which ranks the 50 best talents born in 1998 or later – Dorsch explained that the metronomic Real Madrid and ex-Bayern Munich star Kroos was his earliest influence.
“Toni Kroos was the first player from whom I learned by watching,” he told Goal.
“After my move to Bayern, I went to the youth club so I was able to watch him live in training.
“His overview, his passing accuracy and his calmness with the ball at his feet were very impressive for me.”
Dorsch has yet to sign a professional deal at Bayern, but he believes he has learned valuable lessons from the club’s first team.
“The pace and the accuracy of the professionals are for sure incomparable with the youth team or the second team.
“Every training session with the pros is very valuable. I can learn a lot from these world stars and I think I am constantly developing well.”
