Neuer has been the bedrock of Germany’s success in the last 9 years and his abilities, reflexes, and leadership have provided the foundation for the team to build on. The sweeper-keeper to end all sweeper keepers, he was over and above the best German player at the World Cup win in 2014 and has maintained his legendary level since then.
However, the season-long injury which kept him out for almost the entire season affected his play and he has not been at his sharpest in Russia. Though he cannot be blamed for South Korea’s second goal which came at a desperate time for the team, the two goals conceded against Mexico and Sweden were moments he was culpable for.
The lack of defensive cover in midfield and the terrible antics of Hummels and Jerome Boateng have meant that the great man has had to face too many one-on-one situations and its a testament to his abilities that Germany did not concede more goals.
Marc-Andre Ter Stegen has shown more than enough to replace the Bayern number one and with other classy goalies (Bernd Leno, Timo Horn, Ralf Fahrmann and others) anxiously waiting their turn, dropping Neuer would not be a tragedy.