Others do not believe that Hansi Flick will be able to snap his fingers and transform Germany into a World Cup contender in 2022. In the run-up to next year’s World Cup, one of the most pressing questions for Germany fans is whether or not Die Mannschaft will be ready.

Since Germany’s coach, Hansi Flick, has only had about a year to work with his player pool, some critics, including former Bayern Munich defender Markus Babbel, are skeptical that the country will be able to make an immediate impact.

The German coach believes his team has enough top-tier options to play on the wing, but that the team lacks a true No.9 to complete the puzzle. He also believes his team is lacking consistency at center-back.

“I don’t think we’ll be ready for the World Cup; I think it will take a little bit more time because we have problems in some positions,” Babbel told the betting site NetBet. “We are strong in the midfield area, but we have no fullbacks or a proper striker like Harry Kane, who I wished we had. He was criticized early on by the English press in the tournament, but I have always said that I wish he were playing for Germany because he’s what we need.”

“Timo Werner, Serge Gnabry and Leroy Sane are all top wingers, but they are not strikers so it’s a big problem that we have,” Babbel said. “Also, our center-backs, some of them are ok but they aren’t top class, so I think it will take time and 2024 will be the target.”

Despite these reservations, Babbel believes Hansi Flick is the right man for the job and that he has a good chance of turning things around in time for the 2024 European Championships in France.

“I do not think the German people could take Joachim Low being in charge anymore and I think the supporters wanted a change,” said Babbel. “Everyone will be happy now Hansi Flick is in charge because he did such an amazing job at Bayern Munich. He has a credit now, even supporters from Borussia Dortmund and Hamburg are happy because they could not see Joachim Low being in charge anymore. He will get time, but we are Germany, so we need results because we are one of the strongest countries in the history of football. We are in a similar position to Italy a couple of years ago, we have to create a new team and that will be the target for Hansi Flick.”