Julian Nagelsmann has responded to the decision to not include Mats Hummels and Leon Goretzka in the squad for the European Championship at home. The experienced German duo, together accounting for around 135 international caps, has been left out of Germany's selection.
"Of course, these two players are hugely disappointed," Nagelsmann said at a press conference.
He also mentioned that he had been dreading the conversations with these players. "I didn’t enjoy it; these were not easy decisions. Ideally, I would like to take everyone. But in the end, I have to make a decision in the interest of the team."
When asked if all those who were cut understood the decision, Nagelsmann acknowledged that some players accepted it better than others. "The shortest conversation with a player who was cut lasted one minute and eleven seconds. The longest conversation lasted twenty-two minutes. They weren’t necessarily bad conversations, but I’ve had more enjoyable ones."
Despite the exclusion of two experienced veterans, Leon Goretzka and Mats Hummels, Germany still boasts a wealth of experienced players. Nagelsmann even prioritized two of them when selecting his squad. He mentioned having key players in mind right from the start, specifically naming Antonio Rüdiger and Toni Kroos. "We deliberately chose to select five or six players who also have a good defensive awareness."
The inclusion of these seasoned players is part of Nagelsmann's strategy to maintain a solid defensive foundation while balancing experience and youth. The selected squad reflects a blend of established stars and emerging talents, aiming to create a cohesive and competitive team for the upcoming European Championship.
Goalkeepers:
Oliver Baumann (TSG Hoffenheim)
Manuel Neuer (Bayern)
Alexander Nübel (VfB Stuttgart)
Marc-André ter Stegen (Barcelona)
Defenders:
Waldemar Anton (VfB Stuttgart)
Benjamin Henrichs (RB Leipzig)
Joshua Kimmich (Bayern)
Robin Koch (Eintracht Frankfurt)
Maximilian Mittelstädt (VfB Stuttgart)
David Raum (RB Leipzig)
Antonio Rüdiger (Real Madrid)
Nico Schlotterbeck (Borussia Dortmund)
Jonathan Tah (Bayer 04 Leverkusen)
Midfielders:
Robert Andrich (Bayer Leverkusen)
Chris Führich (VfB Stuttgart)
Pascal Groß (Brighton & Hove Albion)
Ilkay Gündogan (Barcelona)
Toni Kroos (Real Madrid)
Jamal Musiala (Bayern)
Aleksandar Pavlovic (Bayern)
Leroy Sané (Bayern)
Florian Wirtz (Bayer Leverkusen)
Forwards:
Maximilian Beier (TSG Hoffenheim)
Niclas Füllkrug (Borussia Dortmund)
Kai Havertz (Arsenal)
Thomas Müller (Bayern)
Deniz Undav (VfB Stuttgart)
Nagelsmann's selection process highlights his commitment to building a team capable of competing at the highest level. The exclusion of Goretzka and Hummels, both of whom have been pivotal in past tournaments, indicates a shift towards integrating new players who can bring fresh energy and perspectives to the squad.
The German national team is gearing up for a challenging tournament, and the mix of experienced players like Neuer, Kroos, and Müller, alongside rising stars like Musiala and Wirtz, aims to strike the right balance. This approach is intended to foster a dynamic and adaptable team ready to face the diverse challenges of the European Championship.
As the tournament approaches, the focus will be on how well the new inclusions gel with the established players and how effectively Nagelsmann's strategies are implemented on the field. The decisions made now will play a crucial role in Germany's quest for success in the upcoming competition.
