Germany: Nagelsmann recalls Bayern defender and Dortmund duo as Sane again misses out for key World Cup qualifiers
Germany have recalled five players and handed a first call-up to Nathaniel Brown.
Germany coach Julian Nagelsmann has recalled Bayern Munich’s Aleksandar Pavlovic and Borussia Dortmund duo Nico Schlotterbeck and Felix Nmecha for their latest round of World Cup qualifiers.
That trio are among five players recalled to the squad as Germany look to take control of their qualifying group in games with Luxembourg and Northern Ireland, Schlotterbeck available again having recovered from a meniscus injury.
Schlotterbeck’s return is key with centre-back Antonio Rudiger out with a muscle injury.
Ridle Baku of RB Leipzig also comes back into the squad, as does Eintracht Frankfurt’s Jonathan Burkardt, whose team-mate Nathaniel Brown has received his first call-up.
Yet there is no place for former Bayern star Sane, whose move to Galatasaray is clearly hindering his hopes of featuring at the World Cup. Sane was left out of the squad in September after moving to what Nagelsmann described as an “inferior league”, and a poor start to life in Istanbul has not helped his cause.
Germany are second in UEFA Group A having started their campaign with a humiliating loss in Slovakia, the first away qualifying defeat in Die Mannschaft’s history.
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Nagelsmann sets out Germany’s clear goal
They followed that with an unconvincing 3-1 win over Northern Ireland, and Nagelsmann is adamant that Germany cannot afford any more slip-ups.
“We have a clear goal – two wins from two, in order to get firmly back on track in our World Cup qualifying campaign,” Nagelsmann said.
“Even though some players are unable to join us for this international break, we’re absolutely convinced that the squad has enough quality to do better than we did last time out.
“After losing Toni Rüdiger, it’s so important that we have Nico Schlotterbeck back with us. In Nene Brown, we’ll also have a real talent at our disposal in the defensive department.
“I’m looking forward to walking out into the sold-out stadium in Sinsheim [against Luxembourg], a place that has a special place in my heart, and I’m excited for an electric atmosphere and a great game when we travel to Belfast, taking lots of Germany fans along with us.”
Woltemade on right track
Striker Nick Woltemade is again in the squad after making a strong start to life at Newcastle United following a £69million move from Stuttgart.
Woltemade, who came in for criticism following the defeat to Slovakia, has three goals in six games for Newcastle, his latest coming in a 4-0 Champions League win over Union St. Gilloise on Wednesday.
Speaking on Tuesday, Nagelsmann told Sport1 of Woltemade: “Okay. Sure, he’s scored two headers now, which was also good and important for him.
“I think it’s important that you make a good impression when you have such a price tag. Goals are simply the most striking and valuable thing.
“I think he did quite well; I watched yesterday’s game [against Arsenal] as well. He still has a few steps to take within the team. He still needs to find his perfect fit.
“He’s on the right track. With two goals, he’s definitely made a good start.”
West Ham’s Niclas Fullkrug misses out because of injury with Burkardt and Dortmund’s Maximilian Beier the other two striking options in the squad.
Germany squad in full
Goalkeepers: Oliver Baumann, Alexander Nübel, Finn Dahmen
Defenders: Waldemar Anton, Ridle Baku, Nathanial Brown, Robin Koch, David Raum, Nico Schlotterbeck, Jonathan Tah
Midfields: Karim Adeyemi, Nadiem Amiri, Robert Andrich, Serge Gnabry, Leon Goretzka, Joshua Kimmich, Jamie Leweling, Felix Nmecha, Angelo Stiller, Florian Wirtz
Forwards: Maximilian Beier, Jonathan Burkardt, Nick Woltemade