How did Jürgen Klopp’s Germany newcomers fare on Matchday 4?
New Germany head coach Jürgen Klopp named an expanded 44-man squad for the upcoming international break in a bid to get to know as many players as possible. And for several newcomers, the news evidently gave them an added boost on Matchday 4.
Younes Ebnoutalib
Club: Eintracht Frankfurt
Position: Forward
How did he do on Matchday 4?
Pretty well. The 23-year-old tapped home the opener for Frankfurt in their 2-2 draw against Freiburg, putting him level with Bayern Munich’s Michael Olise at the top of the Bundesliga scoring charts with four goals.
He has an xG Efficiency of 1.05 so far in 2026/27, meaning he’s scored one goal more than statistically expected given the quality of chances he’s had.
In addition to his finishing, he showed that he can be a valuable asset in terms of his work rate: Ebnoutalib covered 11.29 km and made 18 sprints (both the most for any Frankfurt player), much of which came from pressing defenders high up the pitch.
Derry Scherhant
Club: Freiburg
Position: Winger
How did he do on Matchday 4?
Scherhant was superb in Frankfurt. Despite being substituted off in the 71st minute, he had more shots (five) and more crosses from open play (three) than any other player on the pitch, while he also contributed a goal and an assist to Freiburg’s cause in their 2-2 draw.
“It’s a dream come true, it’s unbelievable,” the 23-year-old told the Bundesliga after the final whistle. “I can’t really believe it. I’m very happy. think it [the Germany call-up] gave me a little bit of a push today. I’m very happy that I could help my team with a goal and an assist and now I’m really looking forward to the national team.”
Saïd El Mala
Club: Cologne
Position: Winger
How did he do on Matchday 4?
The 20-year-old was called up to the senior set-up by Julian Nagelsmann earlier this year but is yet to make his debut. He seemed determined to change all that on Saturday, however, as Cologne visited Hamburg.
While the Billy Goats ultimately lost 2-1, El Mala had more shots (four), created more shooting opportunities for team-mates (three), and contested more duels (30) than any other player on the pitch, while he also made a team-high 20 sprints.
His pass completion rate of 75 percent is also highly respectable for a player who takes so many risks in the final third. Creative and hard working? On this evidence, he’s the ideal player for Klopp.
Noah Atubolu
Club: Eintracht Frankfurt
Position: Goalkeeper
How did he do on Matchday 4?
Frankfurt may have the fourth-worst defensive record in the Bundesliga so far this season (10 goals conceded), but it would be far worse if it were not for Atubolu.
The 24-year-old faced his parent club Freiburg for the first time on Saturday, and his former team-mates appeared keen to make life as hard as possible for him, peppering his goal with 19 shots.
Of the seven that were on target, Atubolu kept out five (for a respectable 71.43 save rate), helping earn his side a 2-2 draw.
