Can Uzun: Have Germany missed out on another teenage sensation?

Can Uzun has 17 goal contributions (14 goals and three assists) for FC Nürnberg across all competitions this season, and is causing quite the talk around Europe. But could he be the next teenage sensation that Germany miss out on?

Born in Regensburg, Uzun joined Nürnberg’s youth setup from neighbouring Ingolstadt in 2019. The 18-year-old played 74 minutes in the closing stages of the 2. Bundesliga last season but his performances this campaign has put him in the spotlight of Europe’s biggest clubs.

But not only that, Uzun has two options for his national team: Germany and Turkey. Although born in Germany, Uzun has represented Turkey at U17 and U18 level, and is leaning towards representing Turkey at senior level.

With 11 goals and one assist in 20 games for Nürnberg in the 2. Bundesliga this season, the offensive player is someone that Germany can’t afford to miss out on but just like Kenan Yildiz, it appears as though the DFB will miss out on another teenage sensation.

As per fussball.news, DFB Director Rudi Völler and Managing Director Sport Andreas Rettig travelled to Nürnberg to speak to Uzun about his future, but it appears that the 18-year-old has opted for Turkey.

So much so that Uzun is expected to be a part of Vincenzo Montella’s Turkey squad for their upcoming games against Hungary and Austria next month.

“Uzun played for our U17s and he is our player,” Altintop told Sky Germany. “He’s from the 2005 class and we already have two players in our senior team with Arda Güler and Kenan Yildiz. The next should be Can Uzun, and he knows that too.”

Should Uzun have opted for Germany, it’s likely that he would have been a part of the U21 squad, but choosing Turkey would allow the attacker to play at Euro 2024.

GGFN | Daniel Pinder

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