Jürgen Klopp begins his adventure on the bench of Germany with a choice that is expected to cause discussion. For the first four matches of the Nations League, the new coach of the national team has gathered 44 players, divided into two different groups. A formula designed to allow the coach to observe as many elements as possible and, above all, to give space to some youngsters who have not yet had the opportunity to wear the first national team shirt.
The first list includes 24 players and will be the protagonists of the matches against the Netherlands in Amsterdam on September 24 and Greece in Augsburg on September 27. After the second match, most of the group will return to their respective clubs. At that moment, another 20 players will enter the scene, gathered for the challenges against Serbia in Munich on October 1 and again against Greece, this time in Thessaloniki on October 4.
So it's a double squad, which immediately captures one of the priorities of the new era. Klopp wants to get to know as many players as possible and build a national team with a broader base. The first group combines experience with innovation: among the names present are Marc-André ter Stegen, Joshua Kimmich, Serge Gnabry and other already established elements, but also some players who receive their first invitation.
There are a total of 16 debutants in the two groups. Among them are Augsburg's Hennes Behrens, Freiburg's Max Rosenfelder, Philipp Treu and Yannik Engelhardt, Hoffenheim's Bambasé Conté and Eintracht Frankfurt's Younes Ebnoutalib. The second group includes Brajan Gruda, Finn Jeltsch, Felix Keidel, Vitaly Janelt, Mika Baur and Derry Scherhant, all making their first appearances for the senior national team.
Of course, there is no shortage of more experienced players, also called upon to accompany the youngsters in their first approach with the Mannschaft. Klopp has thus chosen to combine different generations, with the idea of widening the competition on the eve of future international commitments.
Management of injured players
In the selection of the new national team coach, there is also a special attention to the physical management of the players. This is the case of Nico Schlotterbeck, who recently returned from an ankle injury. Klopp explained that he spoke with Borussia Dortmund coach Niko Kovac to agree on a plan for the use of the defender.
The same approach applies to Jamal Musiala and Serge Gnabry. "We want to have all three with us for two weeks, if possible, to give them the right rhythm," Klopp explained, stressing, however, the need to activate them gradually and depending on their respective condition.
The new national team coach expressed his satisfaction with the choices made and indicated that he had spoken directly to the assembled players: "I am very happy with the selection; I spoke openly with the players, I spoke to each of them." The objective is to restore the importance of the Germany jersey and to build a new cycle through a direct relationship with the group.
Explosion for previously published lists of recruits
During the press conference, however, Klopp also addressed another topic: the premature publication of some of the names on the list. A practice that does not seem to particularly bother him, at least in terms of the simple fact that the information was made public before the official announcement.
The problem, for the German national team coach, is different. Klopp commented sharply on the way some people have turned premature publication of information into their profession: "I can say that for me it is completely indifferent that this comes out early. I have absolutely no problem with that. I just find it a bit pathetic that you earn a living by releasing things before the moment when they really need to be known."
A sentence that well summarizes the approach of the new national team coach: no particular concern about the fact that the gatherings may be made public earlier, but a clear criticism of those who build their activity on publishing information before the official announcement.
Meanwhile, the real innovation is now in the numbers. Forty-four players, two groups, 16 debutants and four matches: Klopp has chosen to start his era at the helm of Germany by immediately expanding the national team. The first response will come from the field, starting with the Amsterdam match against the Netherlands on September 24.
