The next batch of Germany hopefuls in line for a debut under Jürgen Klopp
Jürgen Klopp has already handed several players their senior Germany debuts, and with the second batch of his 44-man squad now preparing for action, we look at who could be next.
Jonas Urbig: Although he has not had too many opportunities to distinguish himself this season, the 23-year-old kept seven clean sheets in 14 Bundesliga appearances last term. Those impressive performances have now earned him a return to the Germany set-up after serving as a training goalkeeper at the World Cup - and it has been confirmed that he will start against Serbia.
Noah Atubolu: Last season, the 24-year-old goalkeeper helped Freiburg reach the Europa League final. Atubolu joined Bundesliga rivals Eintracht Frankfurt this summer and has continued to catch the eye there. On Matchday 3 of the current campaign, he set a new Bundesliga record by saving a sixth consecutive penalty. Now Atubolu will get the chance to prove himself with the national team too.
Finn Jeltsch: Despite being just 20 years old, Jeltsch is already an undisputed first-choice centre-back for Champions League participants VfB Stuttgart and has not missed a single minute this season. He has won a solid 59 per cent of his duels and could also have an important role to play under Klopp in the near future.
Felix Keidel: The 23-year-old could become Elversberg's first Germany international. Keidel, who played exclusively at full-back last season, has found a new role as a defensive midfielder in the Bundesliga and has started all four games. He has also shown his eye for goal: on Matchday 2 in Mönchengladbach, he curled a superb free-kick into the top corner to make it 3-3.
Vitaly Janelt: The midfielder went under the radar in Germany for a long time and has now been playing in England for six years. After moving from Bochum to Brentford in October 2020, he won promotion to the Premier League in his first season. The west London club, where fellow Germany international Kevin Schade also plays, have since established themselves in England’s top flight and currently sit fourth in the table. Janelt, meanwhile, has developed into one of the most consistent players in his position in recent years.
Mika Baur: The son of handball world champion Markus Baur was one of Paderborn's key players as they won promotion to the Bundesliga, contributing nine goals contributions along the way (four scored, five assists). The midfielder joined Scottish champions Celtic in the summer and is also competing in the Europa League with the Glasgow club. His call-up to the Germany squad marks the latest high point in his rapid rise.
Saïd El Mala: The youngster was one of the breakout stars of last Bundesliga season, and many expected the 20-year-old to earn a World Cup place in the summer. El Mala played a major role in Cologne avoiding relegation with 13 goals. On the final matchday against Bayern, he became the second-youngest player in Bundesliga history to score a 13th goal of a season, with only Horst Köppel in 1967/68 having been younger by a single day. El Mala scored against Hoffenheim on the opening day of the current campaign and has also registered the most shots for the Billy gGoats so far, with 10. Now he will be looking to make his mark for Germany too.
Derry Scherhant: The Freiburg forward has enjoyed a dream start to the season, much like his club. Scherhant has started all four of the team's Bundesliga games, scoring his first goal of the campaign against Bremen last weekend and also providing three assists. Across the entire league, only Leverkusen’s Ibrahim Maza and Bayern stars Harry Kane and Michael Olise have been involved in more shots than Scherhant's 21.
