defensive all-rounder, as he could be deployed in any defensive position. Höwedes's main playing position was at centre back, but he could also be deployed as a right or left-sided full back and as a right or left-sided wing-back, which were the main positions that Höwedes was deployed in under Jens Keller. In the early phase of his youth career, Höwedes mainly played as a defensive midfielder; after joining Schalke, however, with whom he began his professional football career, he played mainly as a left-back. Höwedes's main defensive strengths lay in his ability to win his oppositional one-on-one duels consistently, his fine heading ability, and his no-nonsense style of play. Höwedes's height and high-jumping ability also made him an aerial threat, and saw him both score and set-up goals with his head. Additionally, Höwedes was also known for his well-timed sliding tackles and standing tackles, as well as his good first-time passing, technique, positional sense, and great physical strength. Despite his ability as a defender, he often struggled with injuries throughout his career. Career statistics Club Ref.: International Ref.: Scores and results lists Germany's goal tally first: Honours Schalke 04 DFB-Pokal: 2010–11 DFL-Supercup: 2011 Juventus Serie A: 2017–18 Coppa Italia: 2017–18 Lokomotiv Moscow Russian Cup: 2018–19 Germany U21 UEFA European Under-21 Championship: 2009 Germany FIFA World Cup: 2014 Individual Fritz Walter Medal U19 Gold Medal: 2007 Personal life Höwedes was born in Haltern, North Rhine-Westphalia, and he attended Gesamtschule Berger Feld. References External links 1988 births Living people People from Haltern Sportspeople from Münster (region) German footballers TuS Haltern players FC Schalke 04 II players FC Schalke 04 players Bundesliga players Regionalliga players Juventus F.C. players Serie A players FC Lokomotiv Moscow players Russian Premier League players German expatriate footballers German expatriate sportspeople in Italy Germany under-21 international footballers Germany international footballers Germany youth international footballers Association football defenders UEFA Euro 2012 players 2014 FIFA World Cup players UEFA Euro 2016 players FIFA World Cup-winning players Expatriate footballers in Italy Expatriate footballers in Russia People educated at the Gesamtschule Berger Feld Footballers from North Rhine-Westphalia