Nagelsmann, Terzic, and Dersch comment on recall of Hummels and exclusion of Can
Bundestrainer Julian Nagelsmann and BVB gaffer Edin Terzic have made their statements on the more surprising aspects of the German national team selection today. The inclusion of veteran BVB Mats Hummels and exclusion of BVB captain Emré Can are obviously the biggest talking points.
One of the Bundesrepublik's most highly respected footballing journalists, Matthias Dersch of Germany's Kicker Magazine, has also had his say.
Much of the interest around newly appointed Bundestrainer Julian Nagelsmann's first German national team squad selection (released earlier today) revolves around Bundesliga club team Borussia Dortmund. BVB defenders Niklas Süle and Nico Schlotterbeck have been left behind whilst veteran Mats Hummels has been recalled after a two-year-absence.
One of the Bundesrepublik's most highly respected footballing journalists, Matthias Dersch of Germany's Kicker Magazine, has also had his say.
Dortmund's newly appointed captain Emré Can has also been left behind. The 29-year-old recently lost his starting place at his club. Interestingly enough, Nagelsmann opted to call up another player not starting for his club, Robert Andrich of Bayer 04 Leverkusen, as Can's direct replacement. Andrich has never been called up to senior level before.
At a Friday presser, Nagelsmann spoke on Can's exclusion. BVB trainer Terzic also commented on the current form of his squad skipper. Both trainers sought to emphasize that Can still had plenty of time to turn matters around.
"Emré is not having an easy time at the club right now," Nagelsmann said, "I also want to take a bit of the pressure off him. He is an outstanding player who needs time right now. I don't want to put him under additional pressure."
"Emré is an extremely important player for us and especially for me as a coach," Terzic stressed, "He knows, of course, that he is not in absolute top form. But we know he will get there. We will help him with that. I think he has shown an upward form in the last few outings."
Terzic called the return of Hummels "absolutely deserved" while declining to comment on Nagelsmann's decisions regarding Süle and Schlotterbeck. The BVB trainer merely noted that he had been in contract with Nagelsmann every day this week and made sure to say that the Bundestrainer had also spoken to each of his players personally.
Nagelsmann made clear that Hummels' inclusion centered around the need for leadership.
"Mats,is a player with great experience," He is excellent at build--up play, always has the courage to play balls into the midfield. Mats is good at coaching, has a good tactical understanding. I expect him to be able to support the things I want to see already in training. We need players who speak a lot, coach a lot, who understand my ideas and can transfer them to the others. I want him to lead the other guys along."
In an editorial published on the website of Germany's preeminent footballing publication, veteran German footballing journalist Matthias Dersch effectively endorsed Nagelsmann's initial squad selection. Dersch writes that including Hummels - on an undeniable form tear since last Spring - is a "logical solution" to the team's persistent defensive/leadership woes.
Dersch also applauds the first-time call-ups of Andrich, Union Berlin striker Kevin Behrens, and VfB Stuttgart winger Chris Führich as "sensible statements" from a coach looking for a "fresh impetus". Nagelsmann's decision to recall Bayern's Leon Goretzka and Leipzig's David Raum can, according to Dersch, also signal that the new coaching regime is willing to provide fresh starts for all German club players.
Dersch concludes his editorial positively, stating that Nagelsmann's first squad selection "suggests he may succeed in his endeavor".