With just 102 days until the opening whistle of the FIFA World Cup in the United States, Canada, and Mexico, Germany’s national football team manager, Julian Nagelsmann, is outlining his plans. The 38-year-old coach recently spoke extensively about team roles, areas for improvement, and his overall hopes for the tournament, emphasizing his desire for clarity before the team departs for North America.
Nagelsmann intends to mirror his approach from the Euro 2024, assigning each player within the DFB squad a defined role. He plans to have these individual role discussions during the upcoming international matches in March against Switzerland and Ghana. According to Nagelsmann, the roster for the World Cup will closely resemble the one assembled for those March fixtures.
This signals that players included in the March squad have a strong chance of making the final World Cup team, and Nagelsmann doesn’t anticipate significant experimentation in the lead-up to the tournament. A key element of Nagelsmann’s strategy revolves around Leon Goretzka, who despite a less prominent role at Bayern Munich, is expected to be a significant contributor for the national team.
Leon Goretzka (31) has seen reduced playing time at Bayern Munich compared to earlier in the season.
Addressing the Striker Position
One area of concern for Nagelsmann is the striker position. Kai Havertz (26) has been frequently sidelined with injuries, while Nick Woltemade (24) has yet to score in over eleven appearances for Newcastle United in the Premier League. Niclas Füllkrug (33) is also struggling to find form at his novel club, AC Milan, and Tim Kleindienst is currently injured.
Nagelsmann acknowledged the necessitate to resolve this issue, stating, “That is at least a problem we need to solve. We will certainly have a striker who can help us in the air when we need a goal and can’t solve everything with the magicians behind him because the opponent is defending so deep.” The coach is seeking a target man, someone who can capitalize on opportunities in the penalty area when space is limited.
Goretzka’s Role and Midfield Options
Despite his reduced role at Bayern Munich, Nagelsmann sees a significant opportunity for Leon Goretzka. He believes Goretzka can be a key player in the national team, particularly as an attacking presence in a double-pivot midfield. “As things stand now, Leon Goretzka, despite less playing time at Bayern, has a quality chance of playing and having a similar role to the one he had in the World Cup qualifiers,” Nagelsmann said. “Because he is one who also goes into the penalty area, is strong in the air, and brings good power.”
While Felix Nmecha (25, Borussia Dortmund) and Aleksandar Pavlovic (21) have been discussed as potential midfield partners, Nagelsmann indicated they may not perfectly fit the profile he’s seeking. However, he believes one of them has a good chance of playing. He emphasized a need for a more robust, physically imposing defensive midfielder, a profile currently lacking within the German squad, with Goretzka being the closest fit.
Young Players in the Mix
Nagelsmann also expressed optimism about two emerging Bundesliga talents: Lennart Karl (18) and Said El Mala (19). He offered encouragement to both players, while also setting realistic expectations. Regarding Karl, Nagelsmann stated, “Lennart had a very stable time. Now he is struggling a bit – also because Jamal Musiala is fit again and often gets playing time off the bench. I don’t expect him to be a regular starter to be at the World Cup. But he needs to gain some momentum, as self-confidence is crucial for young players.”
Nagelsmann also noted that El Mala needs more consistent playing time at his club, 1. FC Köln. “It’s a different situation when you play for Bayern or Cologne. He needs to get more playing time in Cologne. He plays 50 percent of the time, which is too little.”
The coming months will be crucial as Nagelsmann evaluates his options and solidifies his plans for the World Cup. The matches against Switzerland and Ghana in March will be pivotal in determining the final squad and defining the roles each player will play in the tournament. The focus remains on building a cohesive and competitive team capable of making a strong showing on the world stage.
The German national team will continue to assess player form and fitness leading up to the tournament, with the next key checkpoint being the announcement of the preliminary squad in May. Fans and analysts alike will be watching closely to see how Nagelsmann’s vision takes shape as the World Cup draws nearer.
What are your thoughts on Nagelsmann’s plans for the World Cup? Share your opinions and predictions in the comments below.
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