Hard times for Hansi Flick: Almost three weeks before the first World Cup game of the German national soccer team, the national coach is plagued by serious personnel worries. Manuel Neuer is training again, but whether the goalkeeper and captain will be fit and able to travel to Qatar in good time is just as unclear as the situation with club colleague Thomas Müller (both Bayern Munich). Nobody knows how things will continue with BVB captain Marco Reus. The 56-year-old, on the other hand, has bitter planning security with Timo Werner. The in-form RB Leipzig striker is out due to a ruptured syndesmosis ligament in his left ankle. Creativity is now required – or a deja vu with the courage to nominate. However: The name of the substitute must already be on the provisional list that must be submitted to Fifa. 55 names were allowed.
The Bayern solution: Well, actually this solution no longer exists. Because FC Bayern got its storm problems under control with the fact that a coach Julian Nagelsmann made a real “nine” with Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting from a mini-jobber to a key player. Stupid for Flick: Choupo-Moting was once a German player, but after the U-area he decided to go to his father’s home country, Kamerum. The rapid ascent to the Robert Lewandwoski legacy happens against the basic conviction of his coach. Because he actually likes a flexible game with rotating and fast offensive forces. With Serge Gnabry, Leroy Sané (also injured), Müller (see above) and Jamal Musiala, there are four top players in the record champions’ squad. Flick knows them all, has trained them all. With the exception of the outstanding youngster Musiala, everyone has already played the position in the front line. Solid, but in other roles are stronger, more important.
Kai Havertz: The offensive all-rounder at Chelsea has repeatedly emphasized in recent years that he is absolutely ready to take on the role of striker in the national team. Havertz has a strong finish, recently scoring a magical trick goal against RB Salzburg in the Champions League. He also has a good header, a good nose for space and is already extremely experienced at the top level, although he is only 23 years old. With the Londoners, however, he oscillates between the middle of the attack and attacking midfield. It would still be the most obvious solution for Flick in Qatar, because it is also the most tried-and-tested solution in the DFB team.
Youssoufa Moukoko: In Borussia Dortmund’s youth teams, the 17-year-old played everything to the ground and earned a reputation as the next big superstar. But the transition to the professionals slowed down the mega-steep rise of the striker a little. This season, however, the 1.79 meter fast powerhouse is really taking off. He has practically ousted Anthony Modeste from the starting line-up, scores (four times) and prepares well (four times). What speaks against him: He lacks experience, especially at the top international level. Certainly an exciting candidate as a joker, but not as a first choice.
Niclas Füllkrug: Werder Bremen’s top scorer probably has the largest lobby group behind him. Experts have been trying for weeks to talk the 29-year-old into the national team. And they (the experts) and he (the jug) have the best arguments. With nine goals, he is the most successful man in the Bundesliga. Flick recently praised in the RTL / ntv interview that Bremen embodies something that does not yet exist in the national team. He’s a tall, athletic forward and is currently in the best shape of his career. What he lacks: international experience. Many injuries have slowed him down again and again.
Hany Mukhtar: What speaks against the 27-year-old: He’s not a classic centre-forward. What speaks for the 27-year-old: He hits and hits. And he masters the successful pass to score. His record from Major League Soccer (MLS), where he plays for Nashville SC, is impressive. In 88 games since moving to MLS in early 2020, he has scored an impressive 50 goals and assisted 21. Mukhtar as a player in Qatar, that would be a huge surprise, a new Odonkor. Has no international experience so far and has found it extremely difficult at many stations in the past.
Lukas Nmecha: He has seven caps for the senior national team. The coach was called Hansi Flick seven times. Means: The national coach has a soft spot for the skills of Wolfsburg. He is dynamic, brawny and strong in finals. So offers a package that does not exist in the DFB team. The 23-year-old, who was trained by Manchester City in his youth, is looking for consistency this season, like his VfL. Like his colleague, however, he lacks experience at the highest level.
