Marc-André ter Stegen is injured. Two candidates should replace Germany’s number one in the future. But ex-DFB keeper Jens Lehmann has a different name in mind.
The serious injury to Marc-André ter Stegen recently presented Julian Nagelsmann with a major problem. The national coach has to deal with the question of who can represent Germany’s new number one in the coming months.
The shortlist was recently limited to two candidates: Hoffenheim’s Oliver Baumann and Stuttgart’s Alexander Nübel. Both have not yet played for international matches, but will make their debut for the DFB team in the upcoming Nations League games. The games could point the way for Nagelsmann’s decision-making regarding Ter Stegen representation.
Former national goalkeeper Jens Lehmann, on the other hand, cannot understand why Nagelsmann has decided on the two Bundesliga professionals when it comes to goalkeeping. Another goalkeeper would currently be a better solution for him.
In an interview with “Bild”, Lehmann decided on the right representative of Marc-André ter Stegen in his opinion. “It’s clear: Bernd Leno,” said the former goalkeeper from Schalke, Milan, Dortmund, Arsenal and Stuttgart when asked who was number one in the DFB team for him after the Barça goalkeeper’s injury.
Just a few days ago, Leno canceled the national coach’s upcoming international matches because he was said to have been told that he would not be playing. The ex-Leverkusen player made it clear: “That’s why I decided to train in London. Julian knows that I’m always there when they need me and that I can really help the team.” But at 32 years old, he is no longer a newcomer and has never placed any demands on Manuel Neuer and ter Stegen. Rather, he “always delivered and never said anything.” Nagelsmann had nominated Janis Blaswich from Salzburg as a replacement for Leno.
Leno’s approach is welcomed by Jens Lehmann. “If I were him, I would have acted the same way,” said the 54-year-old and added: “I assumed that Leno and ter Stegen would compete for number 1 after Manuel Neuer’s resignation.”
Meanwhile, Lehmann also gave the reasons why he would have chosen Leno in Nagelsmann’s place. “He plays with Fulham in the Premier League, the most demanding league in the world. And he has better training in how to organize a defense,” he explained. “That’s why I’m wondering how things are going at the DFB now. But on the other hand, I’m not surprised either…” A clear tip towards the association by the 2006 World Cup hero.