News analysis: Loew demands quick solutions: Six players looking for a new club

While German coach Joachim Loew's mind is focused on qualifying for the 2016 European Championship in France, the future of some of his key players is uncertain.

No less than six players in Loew's squad are thinking about joining new clubs as Germany's national team was beaten by their U.S. counterparts 2-1 in a warm-up match in Cologne on Wednesday evening ahead of the World Champion's EURO qualifier against Gibraltar in Faro (Portugal) this Saturday.

One year after the 1-0 win over Argentina in the Brazil World Cup final, Bastian Schweinsteiger (Bayern Munich), Ilkay Guendogan, Mats Hummels (both Borussia Dortmund), Antonio Ruediger (VfB Stuttgart), Benedikt Hoewedes (Schalke 04) and Lukas Podolski (Arsenal) might be on the move.

Loew is interested that a solution will be found as soon as possible as his team is trying to get back in top form after a difficult post World Cup year.

On top of everything, Loew and his team, currently only lying third behind Poland and Scotland in their qualifying Group D, face two important games on September 4 (Ireland) and October 8. And full attention is needed.

After all, the "uncertain six" will have to adapt to a new club team, new coaches and will have to battle to get a place in the starting eleven. "To be in our EURO 2016 team, it will be vital that players are playing regularly for their clubs," said Loew.

Midfielder Guendogan has announced that he wants to leave Borussia Dortmund, but still has to decide between the offers of 2015 Champions League winner FC Barcelona and Manchester United.

Bayern Munich was also interested in the 24-year-old but are reported to have pulled out due to Guendogan`s injury record.

Rumors have Barcelona's probable destination and that it could be announced as early as next Tuesday. Guendogan's new club will have to pay up to 20 million euro.

After Manchester United's links with Dortmund defender Mats Hummels seem to have come to an end, Italian top club AC Milan has announced its interest. Hummels will miss Germany's game against Gibraltar due to injury which could give him time to make up his mind about the latest offer from Italy.

While Hummels and Guendogan have to only choose between two clubs, Stuttgart defender Antonio Ruediger has a more difficult decision to make as Chelsea, West Ham United, AS Monaco and the German clubs Bayer Leverkusen and VfL Wolfsburg are reported to be interested in signing the defender.

The 22-year-old can leave Stuttgart for 10 million euro due to an opting out clause in his contract.

Bayern Munich midfielder Bastian Schweinsteiger has to decide if he stays with the 2015 German Champion (contract until 2016) or if he wants a new challenge.

If Schweinsteiger stays with Bayern he will have to face a duel with Spanish midfielder Xabi Alonso. "It is Bastian Schweinsteiger' s decision if he wants to stay," said Bayern Munich coach Pep Guardiola.

Again Manchester United is a possible destination. Meaning: Bayern would be prepared for talks with the Premier League club and their former coach Louis van Gaal.

Last season Schweinsteiger, due to injuries, often seemed to have lost the duel against Alonso and found himself only sitting on the bench as a substitute.

"I will discuss my future with Bayern CEO Karl-Heinz Rummenigge in summer. Now I would say we have early summer," Schweinsteiger said after the USA friendly.

Defender and 2014 World Cup winner Benedikt Hoewedes from Schalke 04 finally seems to be on his way to joining Premier League side Arsenal.

In London Hoewedes would meet up with his 2014 World Cup team mates Mesut Oezil and Per Mertesacker. If Hoewedes joins Arsenal, it is most likely that he will not meet Lukas Podolski who is looking for a new club after he was on loan, but unhappy, at Inter Milan.

"If I have to, I will be back with Arsenal," said Podolski.

In the warm-up against the US, Schweinsteiger only played 45 minutes, Hummels and Hoewedes missed the game due to injury. Guendogan left the pitch after 60 minutes. Podolski came after 45 minutes. Ruediger played the full 90 minutes.

Other key players like Thomas Mueller, Manuel Neuer (both Bayern Munich), Marco Reus (Borussia Dortmund) were given a break to recuperate and Jerome Boateng (Bayern Munich) stayed on the bench.

In the end, the Germans lost their warm-up against the US and Klinsmann whose team is in preparation for the CONCACAF "Gold Cup".

Loew was far from happy about the defeat. Having lost the match, Loew will be demanding quick solutions about his players' futures.

"Many players already had a short vacation. Looking at that the game today was important to get some practice. But there are no doubts regarding Saturday, we will win the game against Gibraltar," Loew said. Endi