UEFA.com's weekly wonderkid: Davie Selke

This week's potential star of the future is a Germany Under-21 striker who is thriving during a tough time at SV Werder Bremen.

Name: Davie Selke
Club: SV Werder Bremen
Debut: 3 November 2013 v Hannover 96 (Bundesliga)
Position: forward
Nationality: German
Date of birth: 20/01/1995
Preferred foot: right
Height: 192cm

They say …
"He always plays with his heart and at full throttle. At Werder, we have to be happy to have such a player in our ranks, who was not just a squad member at the [U19] European Championship but a key player."
Victor Skripnik, Bremen coach

"Davie Selke also does a lot of work in defence and has that certain something you need inside the box."
Marcus Sorg, Germany U19 coach

"We are glad Davie has signed a long-term deal with Werder. He has shown potential and great commitment. We are sure he will make another important step in the coming years. We really enjoy having him here."
Thomas Eichin, Bremen general manager

Background …
Selke's father is Ethiopian, but Davie was born in southern Germany and played for a number of local clubs before being signed – and let go – by VfB Stuttgart's youth department. After a spell with 1. FC Normannia Gmünd, he joined TSG 1899 Hoffenheim as a 14-year-old in 2009, though he moved on to Bremen in the winter of 2012/13. Handed his top-flight debut in late 2013, he was voted the club's sportsman of the year for 2014.

Playing style …
On the tall side at 192cm, Selke has shown promising technique and is very cool in front of goal. He has registered five Bundesliga goals this season and has set up plenty more. His pace helps him get into scoring positions, yet he also displays an eagerness to track back and work for the team.

Shades of …
Comparisons have been drawn to another Werder favourite, FIFA World Cup finals record marksman Miroslav Klose. His acceleration, movement and nose for goal certainly bear a resemblance.

Eureka moment ...
Though he top-scored at the finals as Germany won the 2014 UEFA European U19 Championship, the jury was still out on Selke until he proved his worth in the Bundesliga. He netted at FC Augsburg early in the 2014/15 campaign, but four goals and four assists in the space of nine games this winter underlined his value, helping lift Bremen out of the relegation zone.

Best-case scenario …
With Selke already a significant figure for Werder, the hope is he can go on to fill the centre-forward slot for the national side, though he is well aware that – at 20 – he is some way off his first senior cap. "I am miles away from that," he explained. "Of course, everyone dreams of representing their country, but currently I am not thinking about it."

He says …
"Things are going far better than I would have dreamed of. I have got used to a quicker game, the media and the atmosphere inside the stadiums. I am not a playmaker or anything like that. I feel at home as a centre-forward. I am delighted I have been able to help the team with my goals."