Overview
- He confirmed Leon Goretzka will go to the 2026 World Cup and be used in a defensive midfield role to provide aerial strength and physicality.
- He said squad choices will be made on tactical fit rather than club status, cautioning that some regular starters could be left out.
- He cast doubt on Anton Stach’s suitability for his setup, citing limited aerial dominance and ball-recovery output despite the midfielder’s strong season.
- He contrasted Aleksandar Pavlović’s steady consistency with Felix Nmecha’s higher-variance, athletic profile when outlining midfield options.
- He set clear markers for Brajan Gruda, Lennart Karl and Said El Mala on end product and minutes, and he welcomed Kai Havertz and Jamal Musiala back for March friendlies against Switzerland and Ghana.