Thomas has no doubts Prem still Hitz heights 
THOMAS HITZLSPERGER says German clubs are jealous of the Premier League — even though tomorrow’s Champions League kings will be from the Bundesliga.
The march of Bayern Munich and Borussia Dortmund to Wembley has seen many predicting a shift in Europe’s footballing dominance.
Bayern thumped Barcelona 7-0 on aggregate in their semi-final, while Dortmund saw off Real Madrid 4-3.
But midfielder Hitzlsperger — who spent 11 years as a Bayern rookie before a professional career with the likes of Aston Villa and Stuttgart — reckons those tipping an English fall from grace are way off the mark.
The 31-year-old, who won 52 German caps, insisted: “The last time a German team won the Champions League was Bayern Munich in 2001 against Valencia.
“In that period more English teams have won it.
“We have young players who are great to watch, but we didn’t win the last World Cup or the Euros.
“Chelsea won the Europa League last week and the Champions League last season, so it can’t be that bad in England.
“The only problem is you spend a lot on foreigners rather than bringing young Englishmen through.
“That needs to change.
“There is a real fascination about Wembley and having two German clubs there because it hurt Bayern so much last year, losing at home to an English team.
“People talk about how good German football is, but every time I go back people say ‘What’s it like playing in the Premier League?’ or ‘I want to play there’.
“You have fans saying they want to come over in their winter break and see a game on Boxing Day.
“That’s why we are so happy a German team will bring the trophy back with the towels they put down beforehand!”
Munich-born Hitzlsperger, who is still hopeful of staying at Everton after his short-term deal ran out, thinks Germany’s rise can be traced back to the nation becoming a footballing laughing stock 13 years ago.
At Euro 2000 they arrived as holders but ended bottom of their group behind Portugal, Romania and England.
That shock sparked a major shake-up.
Hitzlsperger added: “Youth teams changed and clubs invested in young players.
“We are seeing them coming through now.”
