Opinion: Rudiger’s star rising for Germany and Roma

"Things didn't start in the best way for me, because I arrived with an injury, but then things sorted themselves out," he recently explained.

"I went through a difficult moment in which things weren't working for me or the team. But I was never afraid to keep going. I knew that to emerge from that situation I had to grow up and I think I have proved myself now."

Germany's World Cup winning coach, Joachim Low, has been suitably impressed by Rudiger's rise too.

"He's come on a lot and gained plenty of experience in these four to five months with Roma. He's a different player now. “He can continue to gain a lot from the guidance of Luciano Spalletti, who is showing him the way. Rudiger has great margin for improvement and huge potential."

- Joachim Low

With Rudiger having only recently returned from injury prior to the international break, Low showed plenty of faith in the former Stuttgart sensation by handing him a start in Germany's important friendly with England. And while Germany ended up losing 3-2, there was a lot to like about Rudiger's performance.

Although many will point to the fact he was marking Jamie Vardy when he scored his astonishing back heel goal, Rudiger couldn't really be faulted here, for he was tracking his man closely, only to be undone by a moment of magic by the Leicester City star.

Starting the match alongside Mats Hummels, Rudiger's athleticism and defensive diligence saw him get through a power of positive defensive work. The gifted 23-year-old, who possesses lightning pace, terrific strength and a top leap, used all of these attributes effectively, in a match where he won the majority of his duels, both in the air and on the ground.

Notably, in situations where Hummels would step out to make a challenge and leave space in behind him, Rudiger's alertness and covering speed allowed him to mop up and quell any danger if an England runner slipped in behind the Dortmund stopper.

His concentration and selflessness also transferred over to situations when he was required to take over the reigns of marking Dele Alli, Danny Welbeck and Harry Kane whenever they ventured into his area of operation or surged beyond their own marker.

For a player so young, his knowledge of where best to position himself to deal with a variety of different scenarios continues to impress, at both club and international level.

His versatility is another factor that ensures he's such a valuable asset to both camps, for he can play either in the centre-back position or as a full-back. This is something Low clearly admires about the youngster.

"He was originally a central defender, but he can also play on the right and I can see him in a variety of positions," mused Low recently. "He can play in either role, depending on what the team and the coach needs, and he knows how to do it well also."

Low duly provided a perfect example of how useful Rudiger's versatility can be for his side against the Three Lions. Despite starting the game with Rudiger at left centre-back, at half-time Low brought on young Jonathan Tah in place of Hummels. The German manager subsequently had no hesitation in switching Rudiger to the right side of central defence to fit Tah in, knowing full well his flexibility would see him handle the tactical adjustment without issue.

While he's still young and not the complete finished article just yet, if Rudiger continues along his current rate of development, there's no reason to suggest he can't develop into a truly world class defender in the near future.

Only time will tell if he does but all the signs are looking very encouraging right now.