Frankfurt duo keen to represent Germany
| Eintracht Frankfurt teammates Nnamdi Collins and Nathaniel Brown. | Alex Grimm, Getty Images |
Ever since Eintracht Frankfurt trainer Dino Toppmöller gave them a vote of confidence, the young SGE duo of Nnamdi Collins (20) and Nathaniel Brown (21) have made the most of their opportunity to earn minutes at their German top flight club. Collins has started Eintracht's last three fixtures. Brown scored in back-to-back Bundesliga fixtures against Bochum and Stuttgart, also impressing as a makeshift winger in the latter game.
The pair may very well get a chance to play together at Germany's highest youth level during the current international break as both were selected for Antonio di Salvo's Germany U21 squad. Brown returns to the U21s having already been capped five times. Collins receives the first chance at proving himself under di Salvo ahead of next summer's Euros.
In an article published by German footballing journalist Michael Pfeifer of Kicker Magazine, Collins and Brown noted that their positional versatility enabled them to finally get a chance to play for their club. Collins, ordinarily a central defender, presently works as a right fullback in place of the injured Rasmus Kristensen. Brown remains ecstatic at a chance to work further afield.
“I've played on the inside for the past few years, and I feel more comfortable there," Collins is quoted as saying in the article, "but I enjoy getting playing time. At Eintracht one is never left out in the cold. The team spirit is great and I had great exchanges with the trainer [Toppmöller]."
“It was a very difficult situation [at the beginning of the season because I wasn't even in the squad,” Brown added, "Coach Dino Toppmöller said I should be patient and I'll get my chance. I got it now and I'm glad I could take it and want to continue like this."
Di Salvo will undoubtedly be keen to give both youngsters a chance during the two friendlies this coming week, in part because other countries shall continue to court the duo. Collins is eligible to represent both Nigeria and the Republic of Ireland through is family. Brown is one of the never-ending class of German footballers sired by an American serviceman and a German mother.
Both revealed that this isn't an issue yet.
“There has been no contact.” Brown said of a possible future with the USMNT, “It's too early to say. I'm not worrying about that. My focus and my mind are with the German U21s.”
"I'm proud [to have represented Germany though the U15 levels and above," Collins added, "That's not as common as you might think. Now I get to take the next step."