Germany Watch: Hansi Flick reflects on first squad selections as DFB boss

In a video interview with the DFB (as captured by Twitter account @iMiaSanMia), former Bayern Munich manager Hansi Flick detailed his thought process behind some of the selections he made for his first Germany training camp.

“Nico Schlotterbeck played a very good U-21 European Championship. He’s a left-footed player, who I’d like to see in central defense. He’s very flexible, can play in several positions, including midfield,” Flick said. “Thilo Kehrer is back. His coach has confirmed to me that he is in very good shape. David Raum played the U-21 European Championship and the Olympics — he deserved the call-up because we wanted to have a new player on the left side of defense.”

While Raum was rumored to be on Flick’s radar, Schlotterback and Kehrer crept in out of the shadows.

Offensively, Flick kept a strong veteran core, but added a few new faces in the attack and in the midfield.

“We have two U-21 offensive players with (Karim) Adeyemi and (Florian) Wirtz, the exchange with Stefan Kuntz was very good. Marco Reus is back, with whom I had good conversations,” Flick said.

Marc-André ter Stegen did not receive a call, but that was not wholly unexpected. The goalkeeper is still working his way bac into form after an injury.

“Marc ter Stegen is not there yet, but he’s on the right track after his injury. We expect him back for the October internationals,” Flick said. “Everyone is happy and excited that things are getting started — we as the coaching staff as well. It’s important that the team shows the enormous qualities that they have.”