Former Tottenham star Rafael van der Vaart has hit out at Niklas Sule after Germany's humiliating World Cup exit in Qatar.
Despite winning 4-2 in their final game against Costa Rica, Germany were condemned to group stage elimination in back-to-back World Cups for the first time in their history.
Sule collected 14 major trophies at Bayern Munich, including five Bundesliga titles and one UEFA Champions League. He was heavily linked with Newcastle United but rejected a move to St James' Park to join fellow Bundesliga rivals Borussia Dortmund in the summer, according to German football expert Christian Falk.
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Former Tottenham Hotspur and Real Madrid midfielder Rafael van der Vaart was scathing in his criticism of the 27-year-old, as it appears that Eddie Howe dodged a bullet.
"Germany have a problem in defence. Niklas Sule is not world class. He is the German Harry Maguire," Van Der Vaart told Dutch TV station NOS Journal.
Germany suffered a devastating 2-1 defeat against Japan in their opening game, before salvaging a 1-1 draw in their clash with Spain. Although they clinched their first three points over Costa Rica, Japan's controversial winner in their 2-1 triumph over Spain proved decisive in knocking Germany out of the competition.
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