Think Cologne and you'll think Lukas Podolski - and that's a problem. The striker is by far the highest-profile player to emerge from the Rhine city in the new millennium. They haven't finished in the top half of the table during that period, and even bringing back Prince Poldi, at great expense, two years ago has done nothing to change that.

New coach Stale Solbakken appears to be aware that the club needs to diversify its portfolio. The former FC Copenhagen man passed Poldi over for the captaincy in the pre-season, provoking a tabloid imbroglio, and will need to start piling up wins to calm the waters.

Fun fact: Cologne's mascot is always a real live billy goat named Hennes. Hennes VII currently occupies the position.

Author: Matt Hermann
Editor: Nicole Goebel