Germany names squad for next international break

Germany coach Joachim Löw will have a lot of familiar faces during the next international break as the veteran coach is leaning on a nearly identical grouping from the last call-up. A few slight changes were made, however, in each area of the field.

The changes were not earth-shattering and were quite subtle, so it will be interesting to see how Löw utilizes his talent in the upcoming matches.

Meet the new squad...

Not (quite) the same as the old squad...

Sebastian Rudy for İlkay Gündoğan

İlkay Gündoğan is not on this iteration of the roster in favor of former Bayern Munich man and current Schalke midfielder Sebastian Rudy. This move gives Löw some flexibility to move Joshua Kimmich back to right back if needed and Rudy is about as close to a true “6” as Germany has at the moment.

Gündoğan would just a bit redundant on this roster as Löw has options with Toni Kroos and Leon Goretzka among others, who can fill the same role as Gündoğan.

Kevin Trapp for Jonathan Tah

Frankly, Tah has struggled for Bayer Leverkusen this season, so his omission was not all that unexpected. With Mats Hummels, Jerome Boateng, Niklas Süle, and Antonio Rudiger, and Thilo Kehrer all capable of filling in at center back, Tah was not needed on the roster at this stage. Kevin Trapp, meanwhile, will likely not see the field behind Manuel Neuer and Marc-André ter Stegen.

It should also be noted that Jonas Hector was on the last roster, but did not train or travel with the squad because he needed recuperation time. Löw will likely slot him in his left back position as the starter and bump Nico Schulz to a reserve role.

Mark Uth for Nils Petersen

Petersen never established himself as a threat for Die Mannschaft, so Löw is surely testing his options at striker. Uth, one of Schalke’s big transfer acquisitions, has not produced consistently for Die Königsblauen’s struggling offense. Perhaps being surrounded by more skilled players will bring out the best in Uth’s game. In any case, there is only one way to find out.

Summary

The squad has a little different look, but will likely till lean on the core group of Neuer, Thomas Müller, Marco Reus, Kroos, Boateng, Kimmich, and Hummels to lead the way. With matches against the Netherlands (October 13th) and France (October 16th), it should be an interesting break to see how much progress the squad has made.