An open race for the number one position
Matthäus: Klopp cannot get around this player
On Thursday, Jürgen Klopp will announce his squad for the international matches against Serbia (November 13) and the Netherlands (November 16). According to DFB record player Lothar Matthäus, the national team manager should rely on a player who has not been nominated recently.
Lothar Matthäus expects a DFB comeback from Werder Bremen's centre-forward Niclas Füllkrug.
Matthäus stated that he does not believe they should only rely on young players. He emphasized that they should focus on players who recommend themselves through strong performances on the pitch, regardless of their age. The 65-year-old noted on RTL/Sky Sport that they cannot get around Niclas Füllkrug, who leads the Bundesliga scoring list with nine goals. He pointed out that in other countries, players aged 33 still play for their national teams and are used in World Cups and European Championships.
For the German national team, the matches in mid-November against Serbia and the Netherlands are crucial for progression in the Nations League. Füllkrug last played in the DFB kit in June 2025, and for a long time it seemed his international career was over.
An open race for the number one position in the DFB squad?
However, after several injury breaks and a dip in form during his spells at West Ham United and AC Milan, the 24-time international has made an impressive comeback in the Werder Bremen kit. The SVW loan player already has twelve goals in ten competitive matches. He leads the Bundesliga scoring list after eight matchdays.
Matthäus elaborated that if no one else is available, he would also take a 33-year-old. He stressed that what matters to him is not the player's age but their goals and performances. He noted that Klopp has said he cannot help the fact that Füllkrug is already 33. Matthäus pointed out that Harry Kane is also 33 and Thomas Tuchel still invites him.
Between the posts, the 1990 World Cup winner expects an exciting battle between Marc-André ter Stegen and Jonas Urbig. According to Matthäus's assessment, the fight for the number one position in goal is an open race.
