Scherhant's unlikely road to the German side under Klopp

Derry Scherhant, the 23‑year‑old left winger of SC Freiburg, has earned his first senior cap for Germany as head coach Jürgen Klopp includes him in the starting eleven. The call‑up fulfils a wish he voiced in an interview only weeks ago and marks a rapid rise after a blistering start to the season.

Dream realised after a bold interview

In an interview a few weeks earlier, Scherhant declared his greatest ambition: to play under Jürgen Klopp. "Vor wenigen Wochen hatte Derry Scherhant in einem Interview seinen größten Wunsch formuliert: Einmal unter Jürgen Klopp zu spielen," the report noted. That statement now sits beside his debut, confirming the dream is no longer a wish.

His selection came after impressive displays against Serbia (2‑0) and Greece (0‑0), where he started both matches and contributed to the team's solid performances. The winger’s form for SC Freiburg has been exceptional, with one goal and six assists in six league games, underscoring his creative impact.

Form, fitness and personal drive

Analysts point to Scherhant’s one‑on‑one prowess and pace as key reasons for Klopp’s decision. "Es hat sehr viel Spaß gemacht – ich hatte mir auch von Anfang an vorgenommen, Spaß auf dem Feld zu haben und mich nicht zu verstecken, einfach alles zu geben," he told RTL, highlighting his enjoyment and commitment.

Lothar Matthäus, watching the Greece match on RTL, praised him: "Macht dieser Spieler Spaß, wow," reflecting the excitement his style generates.

Earlier in the season, Scherhant battled patellar‑tendon issues, playing through pain before a summer programme with two personal coaches. At SWR he explained, "Es ging darum, mich körperlich zu stabilisieren und noch mal eine Schippe draufzulegen." The preparation paid off, as he displaced veteran Vincenzo Grifo on Freiburg’s left flank.

His career path is atypical: he never attended a youth academy (NLZ). He grew up in Berlin, featuring for SC Charlottenburg, Tennis Borussia Berlin and FC Viktoria 1889 Berlin before joining Hertha’s academy at 18 and turning professional there. After 145 appearances for Hertha’s first and second teams, he moved to SC Freiburg in summer 2025 for €2 million, a deal highlighted by trainer Julian Schuster, who wrote, "Kein Trikot steht dir besser."

Despite limited youth international exposure – only four caps across German junior sides and two appearances each for the U20 and U21 squads – Scherhant’s rapid ascent demonstrates that strong club form can override traditional pathways. "Ich muss das alles im Nachgang noch richtig sacken lassen. Wenn ich überlege, wo ich vor fünf, sechs Jahren war … U17 kein NLZ, U19 kein NLZ … und dann stehe ich hier und spiele für die deutsche Nationalmannschaft – Gänsehaut," he reflected on RTL.

Looking ahead, the 23‑year‑old hopes to cement his place in the national team and continue delivering the decisive wing play that earned him the call‑up.