One Player to Watch From Every Bundesliga Side Outside the Top Four When Football Returns

Football is back. The Bundesliga is back. That's it, those are the statements

*Insert: 'it's been 84 years' GIF

It's now just a matter of counting down the days (or minutes) until the land of spellbinding transitional play and suicidal defensive lines returns to our screens on May 16; in a round of fixtures that includes the Revierderby between Dortmund and Schalke.

But with any sane football fan squeezing out every second of Bundesliga action they possibly can, why not educate yourselves a little bit beforehand?

Forget the Bayern's, BVB's, Leipzig's and Gladbach's for a second, it's about time we focused on the rest of the division - with a plethora of hidden gems and under the radar stars lodged away in Europe's supreme division this term.

So, here's one player from every side currently outside the top four for you to keep tabs on amid the upcoming Bundesliga fest - presuming (more hoping) everything runs smoothly - working our way up from the bottom of the table (Paderborn) up to fifth (Bayer Leverkusen)...

SC Paderborn: Sebastian Schonlau

Despite their position in the table, Paderborn have certainly enjoyed their time in the top-flight, springing a few surprises along the way with their aggressive press and ability in transition.

And although they've surrendered way too many chances and ultimately conceded a few too many as well, Sebastian Schonlau has enjoyed a respectable campaign at centre-half. The ease at which he plays out from the back has been impressive, while his defensive numbers have also been commendable.

He may well a good option for many Bundesliga clubs when Paderborn inevitably drop down to the second-tier.

Werder Bremen: Max Eggestein

Milot Rashica has near enough put this declining Werder side on his back this term with 11 goal contributions, but they look destined for the drop.

The highly-rated Florian Kohfeldt desperately needs versatile midfielder Max Eggestein at his very best when German football returns if they are to stay up.

The 22-year-old German enjoyed a brilliant campaign last time out; finishing with ten Bundesliga goal contributions as Werder finished seventh. The departure of Max Kruse and failure of Eggestein to build-on his breakout year - he has no goals and just two assists this term - have been key in Die Werderaner's demise.

Fortuna Dusseldorf: Zack Steffen

Probably the Bundesliga's least interesting side, Fortuna aren't exactly blessed with talent anywhere on the pitch and have relied heavily on shot-stopper Zack Steffen this season.

The 25-year-old is currently America's number one and has been tipped to be a world-class goalkeeper at some point down the line.

Steffen's also a Manchester City loanee so it could be interesting to see whether he could serve as Ederson's back-up when his stint in Dusseldorf comes to a close.

Mainz: Jean-Phillipe Mateta

Jean-Phillipe Mateta - last season's star with 14 strikes - proved irreplaceable during the Hinrude as Mainz persistently struggled in the final third without their injured forward.

The Frenchman returned in December, however, and has scored twice and set-up another in five starts. There's little doubting he'll be key in Die Nullfünfer's fight against the drop - they're currently four points adrfit of the play-off.

He will be forced to serve a one-game suspension though, after getting two yellow cards last time out against Fortuna.

Augsburg: Felix Uduokhai

In what's been a forgettable campaign for Augsburg, Wolfsburg loanee Uduokhai has been a shining light.

The German has excelled in shunning opposition counter-attacks through impressive recovery speed and adept spacial awareness. It's a shame, however, that we haven't seen much of his talent in possession as a result of Heiko Herrlich's functional system.

A promising centre-back talent nonetheless, while dynamic full-back Philipp Max and goalscorer Florian Niederlechner are two others to keep an eye on.

Hertha BSC: Matheus Cunha

It's been a tumultuous campaign for Hertha thus far as they're now onto their fourth manager of the campaign in the form of Bruno Labbadia.

A major concern for the Berliners has been creativity and chance creation, with their 27-goal tally being the joint-worst among sides outside the bottom three.

But with Cunha arriving from Leipzig in the winter, we shouldn't see such a blunt attacking force for the remaining nine games. The Brazilian has brought a little more variation, guile and a different dynamic to their attack overall.

So far, the 20-year-old's made three goal contributions in four league games and shown signs of being a potential game-changer.

Eintracht Frankfurt: Evan N'Dicka

A player which Arsenal and Liverpool fans should be keeping a close eye on with both clubs reportedly interested in the Frenchman, Evan N'Dicka has enjoyed a fine campaign under Adi Hutter.

Blessed with an imposing physique, versatility and a composed but forward-thinking nature in possession, the talented defender will have the opportunity to impress a broader audience as Frankfurt take on Marco Rose's 'Gladbach on Saturday evening in their first game back.

Union Berlin: Keven Schlotterbeck

The Union Berlin story is a remarkable one, with the foundations for their impressive campaign thus far being laid by stringent organisation, compactness out of possession and swift attacking transitions.

And Freiburg loanee Keven Schlotterbeck has shone - when available - at the heart of Union's back three alongside Marvin Friedrich and experienced Neven Subotic.

Schlotterbeck's anticipatory skills combined with a dominating aerial ability and astute positional awareness have helped cement the 23-year-old as one of the division's most impressive, but under the radar, defenders this term.

FC Köln: Ismail Jakobs

The Bundesliga's 'Rookie of the Month' for December, Ismail Jakobs has made the left-wing spot his own this term under both Achim Beierlorzer and now Markus Gisdol.

The converted full-back is adept off both feet which makes him an unpredictable proposition for defenders in one-v-one situations, while he's blessed with a healthy combination of 'PnP' - pace and power - to burst away from opponents.

There's real hope in Cologne that Jakobs could mature into a superstar.

Hoffenheim: Florian Grillitsch

For any clubs in need of a defensive midfielder; look no further than Florian Grillitsch - presuming you haven't got the cash to splurge on Denis Zakaria.

The Austrian rose to prominence under Julian Nagelsmann's tutelage and has continued to excel at the base of Die Kraichgauer's midfield this term.

The 24-year-old's grace, elegance and verticality in possession along with tremendous ball-winning instincts make for an efficient combination.

Freiburg: Robin Koch

A Rolls-Royce of a defender, Robin Koch is the best ball-playing centre-half in the division not called David Alaba and it's a treat to watch the German international churn out 50-yard diagonals with frightening ease.

Expect these remaining nine games to be his last in Freiburg colours.

Wolfsburg: Xaver Schlager

The summer signing from Salzburg has looked good in spells during his debut season at Wolfsburg, but he has the potential to be Oliver Glasner's X-factor amid their push for a Europa League spot.

Technically proficient with a first-touch to die for, Xaver Schlager is the sort of talent that will have purists salivating as he struts his stuff from a box-to-box midfield role. Hopefully he's on song for the rest of the campaign.

Schalke: Jean-Clair Todibo

The deal which saw Jean-Clair Todibo join Schalke from Barcelona in January is all a bit too complicated. His talent, however, is more clear-cut - this kid is special, generational if you will.

20-year-old Ozan Kabak has rightly been the talk of Gelsenkirchen with a stellar campaign at the heart of Die Königsblauen's backline, while Todibo's minutes have been limited since his arrival with Matija Nastasic often partnering the talented Turk.

The Frenchman started five of Schalke's last six in all competitions, however, as he looks to establish himself as a regular in Danny Wagner's side for the remainder of the campaign.

Bayer Leverkusen: Edmond Tapsoba

The imperious form of the majestic Kai Havertz has somewhat overshadowed the impact January signing Edmond Tapsoba has had on Peter Bosz's side - with Leverkusen yet to lose in the ten games which Tapsoba started, winning nine.

The 21-year-old has often been deployed on the left-hand side of a back three which has allowed his tremendous ball-playing capabilities to come to the fore - he plays an important role in the first phase for Bosz.

Tapsoba's ability to cover large spaces and in one-v-one situations, meanwhile, has meant he's excelled in a high-risk system which demands so much from its defenders.

The early signs suggest Die Werkself have got another gem on their hands and it'll be interesting to see how he develops over the coming weeks.