Niclas Füllkrug talked with the media during a press conference on Tuesday about his World Cup call-up, settling into the squad and much more. The Werder Bremen striker has been one of the top players in the Bundesliga so far this season and has earned what would have been classed as a shock call-up a few months ago. However, as it led up to Hansi Flick’s squad announcement everyone expected the 29-year-old to be on the list.
How has your first day been in camp?
“The boys have really accepted me. I am happy to be a part of all of it. I want to be successful with the boys.”
What was it like getting the call-up to represent your nation at the World Cup?
“On the day I got called up my phone was going crazy. I got lots of messages from people who have been a part of my journey. I was so pleased that so many of them were thinking of them. I haven’t had a lot of time to think up till now. It was very short-term but maybe that’s not such a bad thing.”
What would you say your role is within the team?
“I had my first training session today, there is a lot of quality on the pitch. It is important that we can be successful as a team. Sometimes in tournaments, it develops in a way that you can’t imagine. Everyone has to carry out their role. What my job will be remains to be seen. There will definitely be one or two conversations to improve things. I don’t think that it will be seamless straight away but that would obviously be nice.”
How can you game help the team in the tournament?
“As a striker, you have other possibilities if you don’t play from the start. You can be a substitution to bring on a different type of player, but we will see. I am trying to prepare myself as best I can.”
Füllkrug understands he isn’t going to be a starter at the tournament but as the competition develops you always have to be ready. With Bremen this season he has proved he can score big goals late into matches. Hansi Flick and the whole of Germany could be in need of that in the near future.
Germany play Japan on November 23 before games against Spain (November 27) and Costa Rica (December 1) in Group E.
GGFN | Jamie Allen
