Who will be the new DFB clipper?: Nagelsmann plans the big storm surprise

class=”sc-29f61514-0 icZBHN”>

Julian Nagelsmann (36) is the new hope of German football. Under the star coach, the DFB team must overcome the crisis of recent months and represent the country worthily at the home European Championship next year. But Nagelsmann’s efforts alone will not suddenly solve all problems.

The eternal pressing question

A question that has plagued German football for years is the problem of attackers. Since the departure of top scorers Mario Gómez (2018, 31 goals in 78 international matches), Lukas Podolski (2016, 49 goals in 130 international matches) and Miroslav Klose (2014, 71 goals in 137 international matches), the DFB has lacked a classic top-class striker.

In attacking terms, Germany undoubtedly has a number of players of the highest quality. For example, Leroy Sané (27, Bavaria), Serge Gnabry (28, Bayern), Kai Havertz (24, Arsenal) or the two gifted Florian Wirtz (20, Leverkusen) and Jamal Musiala (20, Bavaria). But as good as they are, none of these players are strikers. Timo Werner (27) from RB Leipzig is getting closer to that, but he has missed a lot in recent years and has lost his place in the German national team.

BVB newcomer Niclas Füllkrug (30) has often been the only ‘real nine’ in the team lately. The reigning Bundesliga top scorer has a top score of seven goals in nine international matches, but is prone to injuries. The DFB cannot rely solely on him.

Nagelsmann wants to experiment

Meaning: Creativity is required from Nagelsmann. And he’s probably actually planning the great storm revolution. As his first official act, he wants to appoint a surprise candidate for the DFB team, reports ‘Bild’. Several Bundesliga attackers can unexpectedly hope for a call from the new national coach – and therefore also for a role in the home European Championship in 2024.

The candidate group therefore contains four unexpected names that Nagelsmann trusts to close the gap. At the top of the list is Hoffenheim youngster Maximilian Beier (20). The national U21 player has started the season furiously and has already scored four goals after five games. “Maxi has the gene for scoring goals,” praises his coach Pellegrino Matarazzo (45). A clipper gene that could soon make him the new DFB hopeful.

But other attackers can also have hope behind Beier, such as the whiz kid Kevin Behrens (32) of Union Berlin. The towering striker also has four goals to his name this season and was a regular scorer last season. He only made his debut in the Bundesliga at the age of 30, before which he spent most of his career in the regional league. Urs Fischer (57) sees Behrens as a “real striker who feels comfortable in the penalty area.” Sounds like exactly what Nagelsmann might need.

A goalscorer from the second division is also on the list

According to ‘Bild’, two other candidates have chances from outside: the Cologne 1.95 meter tall giant Davie Selke (28) and HSV snapper Robert Glatzel (29). He has been scoring to his heart’s content in the 2nd Bundesliga for years – and was recently asked to join the DFB team in a podcast by reporting legend Béla Réthy (66). “He just plays in the second division – what then? We hardly have any strikers in the Bundesliga.” Glatzel himself is happy with the sudden hype surrounding him. «I am very honored when I see people introducing me. But of course you shouldn’t overestimate it.”

However, the idea doesn’t seem entirely far-fetched. According to the “Hamburger Morgenpost”, the DFB should keep a close eye on Glatzel. His nomination would not be a novelty anyway. In the past, professionals from the second division have been called up for the German national team, such as Oliver Neuville (Borussia Mönchengladbach) and Lukas Podolski (1. FC Cologne). Nevertheless: Rethy does not view Glatzel as a new regular, but sees him as a reliable snapper and a “valuable team alternative that could be useful in certain game situations.”

Source : Blick