Goretzka takes a break – Klopp must miss the start

Leon Goretzka is expected to miss Jürgen Klopp's debut as head coach of the German national team because the 31-year-old midfielder is taking a short break after his move to Premier League club Aston Villa. His body has reacted to the increased workload after his break.

Instagram statement on the break

On Instagram Goretzka said: “It’s frustrating, but I need this short break now to get back to top form. I will use the coming days, including the international break, to fully recover, and then I’ll be ready to give everything for you and for Villa.” After his break he emphasized: “We now have to make the right decision for the future.”

The 31-year-old midfielder ended his eight-year contract with FC Bayern Munich in the summer and moved free of charge to Premier League club Aston Villa at the end of August. His transfer marked the end of a long Bundesliga career, while he immediately took up the shirt at his new club. The league offers him new challenges.

Implications for the national team

Klopp, the new head coach, now has to rethink his squad planning for the German national team’s debut in the Nations League. The DFB shirt that Goretzka wore at the World Cup in the USA is in focus, as the consequences of his absence could affect the lineup.

Goretzka, with 73 caps, was active in the Bundesliga for 13 years, eight of them in Munich. He therefore becomes the fourth German to wear Aston Villa’s shirt from Birmingham, after Thomas Hitzlsperger, Stefan Beinlich and Matthias Breitkreutz.

At the end of this day he hopes to start again in full top form after the short break. Fu is the abbreviation used in German for football.