Dangers to the second squad nomination: Klopp must keep balance
While the second squad nomination by Jürgen Klopp is set for the upcoming Thursday, numerous pitfalls and dangers await the national team coach of the German football national team that he must not underestimate.
Risks in the nomination
The eagerly awaited first “real” nomination of the DFB squad contains danger spots that Klopp can hardly avoid, but must skillfully navigate to prove his status.
Other problem areas could be tackled by the head coach alone, but could cause him great damage.
The situation resembles a precarious tightrope act and a dangerous run through the labyrinth of Takeshi’s Castle.
For Klopp, the upcoming international break, which begins with the nomination on Thursday, is about preserving his lofty status as the coach of hope of German football.
At the same time, dangers loom that could cast him from celebrated hero back to ordinary mortal, at least for a certain period.
Klopp faces tough guilt dilemma as DFB weigh Füllkrug recall
Upon taking office, Jürgen Klopp emphasized that the cards around the DFB eleven are being reshuffled and anyone can make themselves available based on performance.
The fresh start should not only be a rejuvenation, but above all aim at performance, willingness to work and determination.
According to the form gauge of potential national players, Niclas Füllkrug is a name the head coach cannot overlook on Thursday.
Ahead of the nomination, it was rumored that Klopp might leave out the 33‑year‑old Werder Bremen striker, who leads the Bundesliga top scorer list with nine goals after eight games.
Chuki leads Werder Bremen while Füllkrug breaks records
The question arises whether Klopp can afford to forgo Niclas Füllkrug.
If he were to forego a nomination of Füllkrug, he would define himself beyond his own standards and ignore a player who, according to ratings, currently occupies the seventh place among the league’s best players.
Thus, in the view of many, he would be by far the best German centre‑forward, if genuine number nines are taken into account.