Jürgen Klopp faces massive cut as DFB squad heads to Belgrad

Jürgen Klopp has named a 44‑man Germany (DFB) squad, with 16 players still uncapped. The coach now faces the task of trimming the list to a maximum of 26 ahead of the Nations League double‑header. The two matches are scheduled for 13 November in Belgrad against Serbia and 16 November in Berlin versus the Netherlands.

Upcoming Nations League fixtures and points needed

After four games, Klopp’s side collected only five of a possible twelve points. To reach the quarter‑finals, the DFB team must win both remaining fixtures. A pair of victories would secure progression.

The impending reduction means many of the surprise newcomers are likely to be dropped. Auf the final roster, only the most convincing performers are expected to remain.

Freiburg debutants and their prospects

Four SC Freiburg players – Philipp Treu, Derry Scherhant, Yannik Engelhardt and Max Rosenfelder – earned their first caps under Klopp. Treu, 25, started the opening game against the Netherlands and helped create the inaugural goal of the Klopp era through Felix Nmecha. He later featured in two more starts, impressing at the understaffed right‑back position.

Scherhant also left a positive impression, being highlighted as one of the few bright spots in an otherwise modest German attack. Both Treu and Scherhant can realistically hope for another call‑up, provided Treu recovers from his capsule injury.

Engelhardt, who also debuted against the Netherlands, has struggled to stand out at club level since his appearance. Central‑midfield competition is fierce, with established internationals such as Joshua Kimmich, Aleksandar Pavlović, Tom Bischof, Felix Nmecha and Nadiem Amiri already in the mix. Rosenfelder has not featured for Germany and is not a regular starter for Freiburg, spending most of his time in the Conference League where he was outplayed by Paris Brunner in a 0‑3 loss to Monaco, making a further call‑up unlikely.

Klopp trims Germany squad to 25 ahead of Nations League fixtures

Other newcomers and competition for places

Three more Bundesliga players – Younes Ebnoutalib, Hennes Behrens and Bambase Conté – made their national‑team debuts recently. While none have distinguished themselves yet, Ebnoutalib benefits from limited competition on the striker line, with only Kai Havertz currently established in that role. Klopp has also remarked that the league’s top scorer Niclas Füllkrug does not fit his preferred age profile.

Shooting‑star U21 forward Nicolo Tresoldi remains undecided about his senior allegiance, being eligible for Germany, Italy or Argentina. Both Tresoldi and Wael Mohya are viewed as future A‑team candidates, leaving their ultimate national choice to be resolved by Klopp.

Juventus fans recently voted 24‑year‑old Nick Woltemade player of the month for October, yet he still awaits his first league appearance. In contrast, Ebnoutalib, who shares a club with Eintracht Frankfurt’s Jonathan Burkardt, has recorded ten goal involvements in ten league matches, a tally that could earn him another Germany call‑up.

Behrens, operating as a left‑back, faces stiff competition from Nathaniel Brown, David Raum and Maximilian Mittelstädt. In attack, Conté must contend with established forwards such as Florian Wirtz, Said El Mala and Karim Adeyemi, reducing his chances of a recall.

Klopp faces tough guilt dilemma as DFB weigh Füllkrug recall

Brajan Gruda missed the recent DFB training camp due to injury and has struggled for consistency at Leipzig. Finn Jeltsch also remains uncapped and will have to outshine defenders Nico Schlotterbeck, Jonathan Tah, Waldemar Anton, Yann Aurel Bisseck and Malick Thiaw to earn a place.

Among the uncapped, Elversberg midfielder Felix Keidel appears to have the strongest case, having contributed five goal involvements this season, including two direct free‑kick strikes. His versatility to also cover the thin right‑back slot further enhances his prospects.

Stuttgart’s Josha Vagnoman, who was also named in the provisional squad, will miss the international break because of a thigh strain. His absence further reduces the pool of options for the right‑back role.