Gnabry & Sané face another DFB exclusion
Things are going well for the national team—too well for those currently not involved…
Head coach Julian Nagelsmann (37) emphasized before the crucial match against the Netherlands how important good team harmony is to him: “We tried to make changes in the squad to create new dynamics, to foster a different kind of togetherness. The atmosphere is very important to me, and we currently have a very good one, both on and off the field. You can tell the players are comfortable, the coaching staff feels good with the team. You have to pick the right players.”
This means that Nagelsmann will largely continue to rely on the current group of players—making it difficult for top stars like Leroy Sané (28) and Serge Gnabry (29) to return for the upcoming international matches in October.
Sané is still dealing with the after-effects of his pelvic surgery, which he had after the European Championship, and needs to get fully fit and back to playing regularly. Although Nagelsmann plans to include him in the long term, the better the current team gels, the harder it will be for Sané to secure a spot in the starting lineup.
For other established national players, it could be even more difficult. Serge Gnabry (29) was not part of the European Championship squad, had a poor season at Bayern, and was even considered for transfer. Though his form is improving, he will need top performances to fight his way back into the DFB setup. The same applies to Dortmund’s Julian Brandt (28), who was once a regular but missed out on the Euros. To return and surpass established players like Führich, Baier, or Undav, Brandt will need to consistently impress.
It’s even tougher for Leon Goretzka (29): his exclusion was a major topic, and he is currently struggling at Bayern. It seems unlikely that he will be included under Nagelsmann in the near future, especially given the coach’s emphasis on harmony. Nagelsmann will closely observe who fits into the functioning squad.
There are already potential new candidates for the October matches: Paul Wanner (18), who is impressing at Heidenheim and is seen as the next midfield talent after Musiala and Wirtz. Since he is eligible to play for Austria, the DFB needs to act quickly. Gladbach striker Tim Kleindienst (29) could also get a chance if he continues his strong start to the season. Youngsters Brajan Gruda (20/Brighton) and Rocco Reitz (22/Gladbach), who were part of the Euro preparations, are also likely to be included soon. Karim Adeyemi (22) could earn another chance if he performs well, as he is currently with the U21 team.
With many young players pushing through, it’s becoming increasingly difficult for the once-established stars like Sané, Gnabry, and Brandt to break back in. Even some current veterans like Emre Can (30) and Robin Koch (28) may find themselves in a tough position by October.
