Monday 17th May 2021
Returnees cause DFB dilemma
Thomas Müller calls for a world-class “victim”
By Tobias Nordmann
Well, the surprise is limited: According to a media report, Thomas Müller will travel to the European Championship with the German national soccer team. That is of course understandable, but also presents the national coach with (self-chosen) problems.
Of course there are still a few things on this insightful Monday that football Germany does not know. These things include, for example, the exciting question of whether Mats Hummels will play for Joachim Löw again. And what about Marco Reus? Or to let it get really wild again before the nomination on Wednesday: Max Kruse even returns. Gigantic spoiler: No, the Union Berlin striker will (very, very, very likely) not be nominated for the European Championship this summer. Let’s put it very carefully: The reasons for this are probably also in the interpersonal area. In terms of sport, the 33-year-old actually has some sensible arguments for himself. Well, it doesn’t matter. Other topic.
Let’s get to the things that football Germany knows without the national coach having given his express consent. At least it is not publicly known. According to the “Bild” newspaper, Thomas Müller will return to the national team a good two years after his blitz disembarkation. There are several reasons for this. The best thing besides the vigorous lobbying work for him (including by Uli Hoeneß) and the badly stagnating development of the DFB team is: Thomas Müller has been playing for around a year and a half in a condition that absolutely qualifies him for Germany’s most important selection. He scores a lot of goals. And is preparing many more. Thanks to Bayern coach Hansi Flick.
And then of course there is Müller’s omnipresence in the field, his ambition, his will to win, his leadership and his communication skills. Hardly any player gossips on the pitch more than the 31-year-old. Mostly they are commands. Sometimes hints of incomprehension. Usually addressed to the referee. When football is played in Munich, the 31-year-old is always on the air. On the very best frequency. After that, of course, usually also. The fact that at some point in times of empty stadiums and somewhere he got the nickname “Radio Müller”, well, one has already found something less suitable in football. This chatter quality is particularly suitable for a team that is desperately looking for a solution to the silence of their men. From time to time people tried to turn players into chief communicators, even though this was alien to their nature. Toni Kroos or İlkay Gündoğan won’t become roaring millers. Not even Leon Goretzka. Especially not Kai Havertz.
Only Kimmich can bark convincingly
Of course they don’t have to. Everyone is what they are. Joshua Kimmich, for example, is always greedy, always bilious. When he hisses and rages, nobody questions the authenticity. The enumeration of these footballers is now very important because they could all play an important role in the EM in the summer. Because one of them, more like two (sounds strange, but will be explained shortly) would have to give way if Müller sneaks back into the squad. Because Müller only does these typical Müller things when he gets his Müller place. It cannot be named with field coordinates. It’s more like this: Müller is where he thinks he is. Somewhere between the two wingers, somewhere behind the central point and somewhere in front of the central midfield. Whether it consists of two sixs (you would have said clearer earlier) or two eights (well, what would you have said earlier?). Müller just fantasizes about the offensive spaces. Like at Bayern. As an actor with intangible territory.
Well, that role doesn’t actually exist in the national team. So it would be possible that Müller evades to the right side. There it works hardly half as well as in its own intermediate world. In addition, there would be his duelist team-mate Serge Gnabry, who has a “always play” guarantee that has not been canceled by the national coach. The other option would be the storm center. He has already done it. However, not even with the success that would have made him indispensable there. So: system change for the returnees? It would be the most likely scenario to squeeze the full strength of the miller Thomas into the German game.
An indispensable must give way
So someone who actually cannot give way would have to give way. Kroos is set, Löw has never left a doubt. The fact that Kimmich is playing at his side also seems to be a foregone conclusion. Although the Munich could move back to the right position in the back four, it would weaken the midfield more than make the defense better (which he would of course do anyway). Especially since his wild and desperate offensive excursions at the 2018 World Cup are still painfully present. He just wanted to avert the GAU vehemently. And with Ridle Baku Löw actually currently has a great alternative from VfL Wolfsburg, even if he is still young and has no tournament experience.
Well what is left? Müller will be sent into a duel with İlkay Gündoğan and Leon Goretzka. Gündoğan recommends that Manchester City, currently the best team in the world, be impressively instructed together with Kevin De Bruyne. The fact that despite De Bruyne, despite Phil Foden, despite Riyad Mahrez and Raheem Sterling, he is still the top scorer of the “Skyblues” is another top argument in the fight for a regular place. Leon Goretzka can enter this duel with his irrepressible dynamism, his brutal physique as a power tower. It is the outstanding qualities that set it apart from the competition. Kai Havertz, the super talent, on the other hand, has the advantage of flexibility in the most offensive positions, including in the center of the storm. In any case, Löw with Kimmich, Kroos, Goretzka and Gündoğan already has more world-class luxury than starting eleven. And now one more problem. One with 15 goals and 24 assists. There are probably worse ones. For example in defense. But the Dortmund man could … well there are things that football Germany does not yet know.
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