Flick admits Draxler and Werner find themselves in "unsatisfactory" club situations
After playing his first full 90-minute-match in DFB colors since September 2020, Julian Draxler commented on his current club situation after Saturday night's victory.
Draxler revealed that national team trainer Hansi Flick had conveyed a clear message about the type of players he needed for his World Cup squad.
Flick himself spoke on both Draxler and Timo Werner's situation at his post-match presser.
Julian Draxler's return to the national team was, by all accounts, a success. Playing out on the attacking wing, the experienced forward had a hand in generating several scoring chances. Permitted to use six substitutions in Saturday's friendly victory, DFB trainer Hansi Flick opted to let Draxler remain on the field for the full 90 minutes. The PSG attacker completed his first full match for the national team since a 1-1 draw with Spain in the Nations League in September 2020.
Draxler revealed that national team trainer Hansi Flick had conveyed a clear message about the type of players he needed for his World Cup squad.
Flick himself spoke on both Draxler and Timo Werner's situation at his post-match presser.
"It was good to be on the pitch for 90 minutes again," Draxler remarked afterwards, also adding, "I need to get more match practice ahead of the World Cup. We'll see what happens in the summer. I need to play more than I have this season."
Draxler has made 24 competitive appearances for his Parisian club this year, yet hasn't gone the full 90 minutes on one single solitary occasion for the French mega club. Often the subject of transfer rumors, Draxler may have to put pressure on PSG if he wishes to swing a move this summer. His current contract still runs through 2024.
"[Flick] didn't specifically call for a change when I talked to him," Draxler noted, "but he did send a clear message that he needs fit players for the World Cup."
Another player who may need to seriously consider making a change is lead striker Timo Werner of Chelsea. The Stuttgart native's move to the Isle two season ago has unequivocally proved a bust. After scoring 28 league goals across all competitions in his final Bundesliga campaign with Leipzig, the 26-year-old has managed a combined one-fourth of that production value in two EPL seasons.
Injuries haven't helped and Werner has managed to score for the London club both in Europe and domestic cup matches. The rumor-mill nevertheless begins to churn with respect to the player. Borussia Dortmund shall very likely be in the market for a new lead striker this summer. Germany's second wealthiest club could snatch up Werner far below his actual market value.
"I'm not in a position to give players advice about whether they should change clubs or not," Flick emphasized in his post-match presser, "Far from it, every player must take responsibility for learning and assessing his own situation. Only he knows what's best for him."
As if to highlight what Flick had told the players, however, the Nationalmannschaft trainer reiterated what he required for national team selection.
"The situation they're [Werner and Draxler] are both in isn't one that's currently satisfactory," he added, "[Draxler in particular] doesn't have it so easy. If players want advice, I'm happy to be there for them."