Schlotterbeck in focus: Thiaw or Tah as the ideal addition?

In the DFB‑special of the podcast “Bundesliga Update” the hosts Jens Walbrodt and Luise Kropff discuss which centre‑backs are best suited for the German national team with regard to the 2028 European Championship in England. They examine whether Nico Schlotterbeck together with Jonathan Tah or Malick Thiaw can stabilise the defence. Who should defend?

The final matches in this year’s Nations League could provide another clue as to how Jürgen Klopp wants to shape the framework of his squad with an eye on the 2028 European Championship in England.

The podcast also raises the question of whether Jonathan Tah and Nico Schlotterbeck are already set or whether more surprising solutions are being considered.

In the current episode the hosts run a test by considering whom they would line up for a fictional start of the Euros tomorrow.

Both agree that the left centre‑back position should be filled by the BVB‑captain.

Luise Kropff emphasises that she absolutely wants Schlotterbeck and his skill set in her wish list, especially his diagonal passes to the right.

Jens Walbrodt shares this view and also sees Schlotterbeck as a clear gain in the left centre‑back position.

They agree that Schlotterbeck needs a partner who primarily takes on defensive duties.

Luise explains that Schlotterbeck needs someone to look after him because he occasionally shows deficiencies in positioning and sometimes acts a bit headless in build‑up play.

Thiaw as a possible addition

For Jens Walbrodt the best addition to Schlotterbeck would be Malick Thiaw of Newcastle United.

He praises Thiaw for his very good overall package, his sense of when to hold the position or push forward, and describes him as a rather reserved personality.

Tah as a possible addition

Luise Kropff, on the other hand, considers Jonathan Tah of FC Bayern München to be the suitable defensive overseer.

The statistical values of both centre‑backs are good, with Tah being slightly superior in aerial duels.

Between Tah and Thiaw there are essentially only nuances in the defensive metrics.

For Luise, therefore, Tah’s “softskill” is decisive.

The Bayern‑defender has already played together with Schlotterbeck more often, which could ease the coordination.

Good coordination could be decisive in the hypothetical case that the Euros start next week.

Jens Walbrodt sees Thiaw more as a player who represents a transition, whereas Tah is less associated with a transition.

Tah shines especially when he has a strong centre‑back by his side.

Walbrodt wonders when he last saw a truly good performance from Jonathan Tah.

He believes that Tah often steps forward when he can leave the build‑up to someone else, but Luise stresses that the build‑up task remains with Schlotterbeck.

The podcast “Bundesliga Update” can be found on ARD Sounds, on all major podcast platforms and on the Sportschau‑football‑channel on YouTube.

New episodes are released on Thursday afternoons and Monday mornings.

The Sportschau‑team always provides listeners on Thursdays and Mondays with everything important about the Bundesliga.

The article was published on 12 November 2026.