What Was Miroslav Klose?

I remember watching Miroslav Klose at the 2014 World Cup as he closed in on becoming the tournaments all time goalscorer. He wasn’t quite at his best in Brazil, having only scored eight goals for Lazio the previous season. He no longer possessed the same initial zip of pace, and he wasn’t finding crosses with his head as prolifically. The predatory instinct is something that seemingly never goes though, and the wily old striker proved his worth with a vital and record equalling equaliser against Ghana. He then went on to break Ronaldo’s record in the famous 7-1 demolition of Brazil. Klose’s legs may have been taking a bit of wear, but he still had a part to play.

Miroslav Klose was a striker who lived for goals. Specifically, goals inside the box. While maintaining a steady record for club, Klose has been prolific for country. He is Germany’s all time leading scorer and Die Mannschaft have never lost a game in which he has scored. A quick look at a highlight reel of his goals shows how he thrives of good crossing service. Michael Ballack swinging a ball into the area and onto the head of Klose was a common sight during the noughties. Indeed, fans of FC Kaiserslautern and Bayern Munich may feel unfortunate that the two player’s times at each club didn’t quite fully overlap.

2002 was the World Cup in which the Polish born German striker really burst onto the scene. Germany weren’t expectant at that World Cup, especially in attack. They had most recently been sticking with the lumbering Carsten Jancker. By 2002, however, the big strikers arguably limited abilities were waning. It was the perfect opportunity for Miroslav Klose to burst onto the scene.

Standing at six foot tall and partnering six foot four inches Jancker, there’s almost a sense of irony about Miroslav Klose’s opening World Cup game headed hat trick. If you delve into the then youngster’s abilities though, there’s nothing particularly ironic about it at all. Throughout his career Klose has been a prolific provider in the air, something which drew attention at that World Cup from a slightly unexpected source: Cesar Menotti. The 1978 World Cup winning Argentina coach noted Klose’s impressive ability to rise into the air from the height of six foot, a relatively low height for a classic aerial striker. He did not stop there in his praise though, also remarking on Klose’s ability to shake off opponents, shield the ball and prepare chances at goal.

Klose has consistently provided for Germany over four World Cups. He is one of those strange enigmas who performs better for country rather than club. His club record is, however, nothing to be sneered at. 231 goals in 599 games is not a bad return, but it’s not as impressive as his 71 goals in 137 games for country. It’s a difficult conundrum to figure out, with many obvious pointers (more time with teammates, familiarity with a system etc) indicating that players should be expected to perform better for club. In Klose’s case though, this doesn’t hold fast. Perhaps it’s just as simple as he preferred the managers he worked with while playing for Germany. Or maybe it’s just a particularly English problem, born from the unrest of the ‘Golden Generation’.

Typically, Miroslav Klose isn’t the first name that comes to mind when looking back fondly over the careers of great strikers. However, Germany’s shortfalls at this World Cup have, personally, brought him to mind. Timo Werner was given the centre forward role for Die Mannschaft and we were promised pacy breaking of oppositions backlines. Instead, Germany have faltered with sluggish build up play and Werner was poor with the opportunities that came his way. While Germany’s problems lie deeper than the centre forward position, you can’t help but maybe feel that some Miroslav Klose style guile could have helped provide them with a little bit of inspiration.

(Photo: Hypebeast)