Selection dilemma: Who should be in Jürgen Klopp’s starting XI for Germany?
The first international break of 2026/27 saw Jürgen Klopp call up 44 players split across two squads for their fixtures with Greece, the Netherlands and Serbia. With all four games now in the rear view mirror, who has impressed, and who makes his first-choice starting XI?
Goalkeeper: Marc-André ter Stegen
The experienced shot-stopper has struggled with injuries in recent seasons, and the presence of Manuel Neuer in between the sticks before that, but has now been made Germany’s first-choice keeper under Klopp.
"A team needs stability and a spine, and then you can add a lot of youth around that,” explained the former Borussia Dortmund boss. “I’ve known him for ages. Manuel Neuer was the best goalkeeper in the world for a long time. Nevertheless, everyone knew that ter Stegen was world-class too.”
Who’s pushing him: Jonas Urbig
The young Bayern Munich ‘keeper built on his fast-growing reputation with two assured performances, and two clean sheets, in the win over Serbia (2-0) and the draw against Greece (0-0).
The 23-year-old, seen as Neuer’s successor at club level, has appeared twice for the Rekordmeister this season, in the DFB Cup against Osnabrück and their Matchday 3 win over Elversberg, and is clearly highly thought of by Klopp too. If Urbig can start to rack up more appearances for Bayern, he could soon provide strong competition for ter Stegen.
Right-back: Philipp Treu
The right-back spot appears Treu’s to lose after an impressive international break where he completed 90 minutes in three of Germany’s four games. With Klopp keen to move Joshua Kimmich back into midfield and bring in a more natural right-sided defender, the Freiburg man took the opportunity with both hands.
His tenacity at both ends of the pitch and his ability to deliver a dangerous cross in the final third have made him the clear favourite for the starting spot.
Josha Vagnoman only appeared in the narrow defeat to Greece, while Ridle Baku didn’t feature at all over the four games, highlighting Klopp’s admiration for Treu.
Centre-backs: Jonathan Tah and Nico Schlotterbeck
With over 80 combined caps for their country, Tah and Schlotterbeck bring experience, composure and quality on the ball to the side, making it incredibly hard to see past them as the first-choice centre-back pairing.
While Schlotterbeck has found consistency hard to find of late due to injury, he has impressed alongside Tah when fully fit and will still be regarded as first choice. Meanwhile, Tah continues to be ever-present for the imperious Bayern and provides leadership and stability to an ever-changing Germany backline.
Who’s pushing them: Waldemar Anton and Malick Thiaw
Schlotterbeck’s defensive partner at Dortmund and Newcastle’s Thiaw appear next in line at the heart of defence, and made strong cases for themselves over the past few weeks.
They started together in the win over Serbia and the stalemate in Thessaloniki, keeping two clean sheets and looking like they’ve played together many times before. Klopp described the pairing as "very interesting" in his post-Greece analysis.
Watch: Pass-master Nico Schlotterbeck
Left-back: Nathaniel Brown
The Bayern youngster’s star continues to rise for both club and country, with Brown shining in the first two games of the break following a strong start to life in Bavaria.
Such is his quality and game intelligence that Bayern boss Vincent Kompany has played him as a no.10 at times, a decision which the Germany boss jokingly questioned.
"Now we’ve finally got a German left-back again - and then you play him as a number 10," kidded Klopp. However, this does underline that Brown is viewed as the clear first choice for the left side of defence.
Who’s pushing him: Maximilian Mittelstädt and David Raum
While Brown appears to be at the front of the queue for the foreseeable future, the position of understudy is still up for grabs. Mittelstädt played the entirety of the win over Serbia and even picked up and assist for the second goal, with his ability from set-pieces still highly valued.
Raum appeared in the fourth and final fixture away in Greece, where he formed part of a back four that kept a second consecutive clean sheet. It therefore remains to be seen which way Klopp will swing when it comes to a second-choice left-back, but neither of these to appear to have harmed their chances.
Central midfield: Joshua Kimmich and Aleksandar Pavlović
These two didn’t start together over this international break, with Kimmich only taking part in the first two games. However, it appears that the Bayern pair will eventually form the double pivot for their country, given how well they do it at club level.
Pavlović came into the team for the second half of the international break, proving he could lead the charge from midfield next to the less experienced Tom Bischof.
His ability to break lines with his passing and threaten going forward whilst also protecting his backline compliment the deeper-lying Kimmich perfectly, and it’s to difficult to see that pairing being disturbed.
Watch: Kimmich: "We're on the right path"
Who’s pushing them: Felix Nmecha
While the aforementioned Bischof did impress over his two games next to Pavlović, Dortmund’s Nmecha appears the most obvious candidate to force his way into a starting spot.
He started in all of Germany’ games at this summer’s FIFA World Cup as well as the first two games of this international break, before making way for the second wave of call-ups.
Arguably more attack-minded than the other midfield options and a strong ball carrier, Nmecha is a key man at club level and offers a different skill set, one that could help unlock those more stubborn defences.
Right-wing: Karim Adeyemi
After a brilliant start to life at Barcelona following a summer departure from Dortmund, Adeyemi also proved that he can bring that form into international football. Although he couldn’t help his side find a breakthrough in their loss to Greece, he was a livewire against the Dutch in the opening game and could easily have been on the scoresheet himself.
He combined brilliantly with both Kevin Schade and Kai Havertz, making their backline sweat on numerous occasions.
Watch: Nmecha wins September's Goal of the Month
Who’s pushing him: Jamal Musiala
Musiala’s undeniable ability means that, in spite of his recent issues with injury and illness, you can never count him out. Still just 23-years-old, Musiala has proven on numerous occasions that he can be a difference maker at the very highest level, and his eventual return to the national team fold will give Adeyemi the extremely difficult task of keeping him out of the starting XI.
Klopp himself has stated that his recent struggles won’t impact his chances with the national side, with the new Germany boss aware that he simply needs time to get back on his feet.
“He’s in a situation that you wouldn’t wish on anyone, especially not a young guy like him. I reassured him that this wouldn’t have any impact on the national team. That’s all I can do for him.”
Watch: Best of Jamal Musiala
Attacking midfield: Florian Wirtz
As his goal against Serbia evidenced, the former Bayer Leverkusen man has that bit of magic that the national team simply can’t do without. A proactive, creative force, Wirtz’s performance against Serbia proved once more that he can continue to make the difference for his country, despite any questions over his club form.
He even captained the side in the second of their two games against the Greeks, highlighting his position as one of the more experienced players in the national team setup despite his age and why he could be the man Klopp looks to build his attack around.
Left wing: Derry Scherhant
One of the more surprising call-ups to this camp, Freiburg’s Scherhant was one who really caught the eye on the left-hand side. His direct, fearless play in his first ever senior international appearances meant he posed a constant threat, as well as his ability to run in behind with his blistering pace.
Watch: The story of Florian Wirtz
Scherhant himself was taken aback by his call-up, but he’ll soon feel at home within the Germany setup if he continues to perform as he did.
“It feels very, very surreal somehow,” said the 23-year-old after his debut against the Netherlands. “I think it gave me another push today.”
Who’s pushing him: Serge Gnabry
The more experienced Gnabry played a part in three of the four games played over the past few weeks, the most of any other player in the squad. That not only underlines his continued importance to this team, but also how highly Klopp views him.
Gnabry even wore the captain’s armband in the Serbia win, and will likely play an even greater role in upcoming camps as his fitness levels improve following his recent return from injury.
Striker: Kai Havertz
Although unfortunately withdrawn early from the draw with the Netherlands due to injury, Havertz looks to be Klopp’s ideal choice to lead the line for his side. Perhaps less of a natural number nine than his competition, Havertz’s playmaking ability and eye for goal have also made him Mikel Arteta’s first-choice striker for Arsenal.
While Klopp praised the differing styles of all his strikers, with Younes Ebnoutalib, Jonathan Burkardt and Nick Woltemade each getting chances, you feel that a fit Havertz still holds the edge. Given all four bring different things with their speed and size, could this be a role that changes depending on the challenge Germany face in an opponent?
