With Lukas Nmecha, Hansi Flick nominated a new attacker, in Julian Brandt and Julian Draxler two long spurned returnees. The national coach explains why.
Somewhat outdid himself Lukas Nmecha. “Preferably already until the World Cup in Qatar” he wants to become a senior international,
Fittingly enough, VfL’s summer newcomer, who was still European U-19 champion with England in 2017, could make his debut in Wolfsburg on Thursday. He benefits from Timo Werner’s absence and two convincing performances in front of Flick’s eyes: in the 0-2 loss to Freiburg in the Bundesliga and the 2-1 defeat to RB Salzburg in the Champions League.
Against Freiburg, Nmecha may have missed “four very good chances”, Flick told DFB-TV, “but he stands there”. And with his “beautiful” winning goal against Salzburg, he “underlined that he can also score goals”. In the league, the 22-year-old has three goals after nine appearances – five of them as a wild card.
Flick likes the fact that the reigning U-21 European champion and top scorer “is very active and can hold the ball up well”, even if he is not physically the “Horst Hrubesch” type. Nmecha, however, “goes a good way”.
Brandt and Draxler “can draw attention to themselves here”
Back in the national team circle for the first time in a year are Julian Brandt and Julian Draxler. “We are convinced that both have good quality and can also help a team progress football-wise,” Flick explained. “We want to see them in training.” Brandt in particular was “on a good path” in Dortmund. Draxler has mostly been a substitute at Paris St. Germain of late.
The national coach wants to use the last international matches of the year – which have no sporting significance – “to see them up close and personal, to see how they perform in the group. They can draw attention to themselves here. “
