Julian Nagelsmann has named his second Germany squad as manager of the national team. It’ll be his first national game on home soil as Die Mannschaft host Turkey in Berlin before travelling south of the border to play Austria in Vienna. The former Bayern Munich and RB Leipzig manager has made a few eye-catching changes to his squad, including two first-time call-ups. Here are your winners and losers from Julian Nagelsmann’s Germany squad for the upcoming November friendlies.
Winners
Marvin Ducksch
Werder Bremen’s Marvin Ducksch has received his first senior call-up, following in the footsteps of former team-mate Niclas Füllkrug. Similar to Füllkrug, Ducksch’s rise has been inspiring. Having mostly played his career in the second tier of German football, the forward really stepped up his game when Bremen were promoted back into the Bundesliga last year. Playing alongside Füllkrug, Ducksch was one of the club’s top goalscorers and assisters as the men in green comfortably survived relegation. This season, the 29-year-old has played 10 Bundesliga games, scoring four and assisting on three occasions. Ducksch might not have got his call-up if it wasn’t for injuries to the likes of Jamal Musisala. Regardless, it’s a massive achievement and up to the player to take the opportunity.
Janis Blaswich
The second debutante in Nagelsmann’s squad is RB Leipzig goalkeeper Janis Blaswich. The 32-year-old has never represented Germany, even at youth level. Blaswich joined Leipzig in 2022 from Dutch side Heracles Almelo and has gone from strength to strength ever since. The shot-stopper has been the Saxon’s number one this campaign and has clearly impressed Julian Nagelsmann and his coaching staff. Blaswich, as well as the other fringe goalkeepers in the Germany squad, understand that competition is tough right now. Manuel Neuer is yet to be re-called, but everyone knows he, alongside Marc-André ter Stegen, will make the squad for next summer’s European Championships. Blaswich now has the opportunity to put his name forward for that third goalkeeping squad. Regardless of what happens, Blaswich has been rewarded for his domestic efforts and will now play his part in the November friendlies.
Felix Nmecha
Borussia Dortmund’s Felix Nmecha finds himself back into the Germany squad and is called up for the first time under Nagelsmann’s reign. The 23-year-old made his senior debut back in March this year in a 3-2 loss to Belgium. Since then, the attacking midfielder has found it difficult to cement a place in Die Mannschft squad. Nmecha may yet be one for the future, but with the likes of Florian Wirtz and Jamal Musiala, with time also on their side, Nmecha’s tasks isn’t going to be easy. However, the Hamburg-native has his first opportunity to impress Nagelsmann during national team training. Either way, this is a massive win for the BVB man, who has played 14 matches in all competitions this season, scoring one and assisting twice.
Losers
David Raum
RB Leipzig full-back David Raum has lost his place in Nagelsmann’s second squad. The left-back was used as a sub during Germany’s second September fixture against Mexico in the USA. It appears that the new head coach has seen enough of Raum, for now at least. There is no particular explanation for Raum’s absence. Fellow left-back Robin Gosens of Union Berlin has kept his place and was used more frequently during Nagelsmann’s first two games in charge. Perhaps Nagelsmann is seeking a reaction from Raum? The defender has featured heavily for Leipzig so far this season and has even notched two goals and two assists so far. Should he continue this form, he should be able to find his way back into the team.
Nico Schlotterbeck
Possibly the biggest absence from the Germany squad is Borussia Dortmund defender Nico Schlotterbeck. The 23-year-old missed out on Nagelsmann’s first squad, leading many to believe he would be called up this November so Nagelsmann could get a better look at him in a Germany shirt. However, this isn’t the case, despite a good run of form for Dortmund. Instead, Mats Hummels, Jonathan Tah, Niklas Süle, and Antonio Rüdiger all keep their spots as the designated centre-backs. Schlotterbeck will have to continue to focus on his form at BVB and wait until 2024 for his next chance in a Germany shirt.
GGFN | Jamie Allen
