Jurgen Klopp, coach of the German national football team, will provide an initial indication of how he wants to build the German national team, after a disappointing appearance in the World Cup, when he chooses his first roster next Thursday.
There are high hopes for the former coach of Borussia Dortmund and Liverpool, but this also puts him under tremendous pressure before playing the first 4 matches in the European Nations League against the Netherlands, Serbia and Greece (two matches) during the period from September 24 to October 4.
It is widely believed that Klopp will select a large list that exceeds the number of 23 players allowed in the match squad; With the aim of distributing the burden of participation, especially on players such as Jamal Musiala and Nico Schlotterbeck, in addition to giving the opportunity to new faces.
Klopp said, in his presentation conference last July, that he was following 57 potential players, and he was keen to attend the matches and training of a number of clubs, from German champions Bayern Munich to Mainz, in order to closely follow the players.
This represents a big change from the previous coach, Julian Nagelsmann, who rarely attended matches and who resigned after Germany's exit in the round of 32 in the World Cup.
As part of putting the final touches on his list, Klopp is currently spending some time at the headquarters of the German Football Association, accompanied by his closest assistants.
There are many issues that need to be discussed, including the possibility of the return of goalkeeper Marc-Andre ter Stegen, testing Schlotterbeck’s readiness, in addition to emphasizing continued reliance on the two young playmakers Musiala and Florian Wirtz.
Young and new names may give the team a strong boost, including Saeed El Molla, Niccolò Trisoldi, Vitaly Yanelt, Finn Jelic and Dinan Bitsinovic.
Schalke's in-form goalkeeper, Loris Karius, has also become a candidate to join the list, as Klopp begins building his team with the 2028 European Championship in mind.
Last July, Klopp set his general criteria for selecting players, saying: “Whoever is very good, who really wants it, and who the moment he puts on the shirt becomes a little better and starts.”
Kimmich's turn
Klopp's high-energy style will require speed and power, while the style of play will be more important than the names of the players.
Klopp decided to rely on two strong wings, along with a defense line of 4 players, which leads directly to a number of important decisions about the elements he will rely on.
Klopp said: “I will not now determine the players’ positions or say that one of them will never play in a certain position, or that he will always play in another position.”
But it is clear that Joshua Kimmich, whose continuity as captain of the national team is undisputed, is supposed to return to midfield, where he also plays for Bayern Munich, after Nagelsmann relied on him in the right-back position.
This trend is not limited to the desire of former German star Lothar Matthaus, who described Kimmich as a “quarterback” in reference to his pivotal role in building the game.
This will lead to Klopp needing a new right-back. Joscha Vagnoman regularly performs well with Stuttgart, while Riedel Paco suffers from difficulties in Leipzig.
Nagelsmann excluded the two players from his calculations and did not prepare them at the level required to participate in the World Cup. As for Elias Baum, the Eintracht Frankfurt player, he still lacks consistency in level.
Goalkeepers and wingers
Almost all of Klopp's decisions can be controversial, which is also clearly evident in the goalkeeping position.
The coach may decide to start a completely new phase and build the team in preparation for Euro 2028 around Bayern Munich reserve goalkeeper Jonas Orbig, who has not participated internationally yet. On the other hand, it will be Ter Stegen, who regained his rhythm with Ajax after missing the World Cup; Due to an injury that lasted for several months, the first and safest option.
Klopp knows that good results are the most important factor for any coach, as the state of euphoria comes from victories and not just from future potential or promises.
Klopp must also resolve the issue of how to play. Will he rely on the 4-3-3 method with which he achieved great success with Liverpool, even though the current elements of the team seem more suitable for the 4-2-3-1 method that the national team relies on?
In any case, Klopp will need fast players on the flanks. There are many candidates who previously played under Nagelsmann's leadership, but did not enter his account in the World Cup, and they began to present themselves strongly, including the Brentford duo Yanelt and Kevin Shade.
Karim Adeyemi regained his speed and brilliance again under the leadership of Hansi Flick in Barcelona, while Leroy Sane was unable to regain his level with Galatasaray, becoming one of the group of players over the age of thirty who must fight to continue their career with the national team.
The same may apply to striker Nick Voltamde, who is currently on loan to Juventus, despite his young age compared to this group.
Goalkeeper Manuel Neuer once again retired from international football after a short return to participate in the World Cup, while defender Antonio Rudiger ended his career with the German national team.
Klopp's first list will also be devoid of Leon Goretzka and Asane Ouedraogo; Due to injury.
Leeds United maintained its undefeated record in its first 4 matches in its journey in the English Premier League football championship, achieving a valuable and well-deserved 4-1 victory over its guest, Newcastle United, yesterday evening (Monday), in the competition’s 4th stage competitions at Elland Road Stadium, and benefiting from the offensive momentum and scoring 3 goals in the first half, Noah Okafor added another goal in the second half, giving Leeds 3 points. Precious, raising his score to 8 points in third place in the competition standings, 4 points behind Manchester City and Arsenal, who share the lead.
After the match, Leeds coach Daniel Farke said: “On rare occasions, even for a coach, it is fun to watch a football match, especially when his team is playing, and this was one of those rare occasions, as I enjoyed my team’s performance tonight.”
Farke added: “It was a truly excellent performance, from the first second until almost the last moments, and although unfortunately we did not come away with a clean sheet in the end, the overall performance was of a high standard and I am proud of my team players.”
The German coach explained in statements reported by Leeds’ official website: “We wanted to put pressure on Newcastle and control the course of the match, but at the same time, we should have realized how fast they were on the front line.”
Farke stressed: “They are very strong in counterattacks and quick attacks, so we had to find a good balance between determining the appropriate moments to put pressure on them and maintaining our defensive organization to avoid being exposed to uncalculated surprises.”
He continued: “We achieved this balance tonight, and I think that was a decisive factor. I think we defended very well against long balls sent behind the defenders. Although the pressure they put on us at times made the process of getting the ball difficult, we did the same with them and they were not able to keep up with us.”
The Leeds coach concluded his statements by saying: “Many aspects of the performance were excellent, but there is always room for improvement, and we will work to develop those final touches.” The ranking table may not be important at this early stage, but reaching 8 points is an important achievement in our career.”
