Derry Scherhant, Tom Bischof and the winners of Jürgen Klopp's first Germany squad
Jürgen Klopp handed numerous players their Germany debut in the recent international break, which produced one win, two draws and one defeat, but who, of the initial 44 nominees, stood out?
With an inflated squad, several players naturally seized their opportunity, and hope to be included in Klopp’s squad for the November international break.
Derry Scherhant
The Freiburg winger made a strong case for being called upon in five weeks' time for Germany’s games against Serbia and the Netherlands. He edged out Cologne’s Saïd El Mala for a starting berth, and justified Klopp’s selection.
A constant threat down the left flank, Scherhant recorded the highest number of shots and crosses from open play of any player during Klopp’s first games, and would have recorded his first goal contribution had Jonathan Burkardt’s strike against Greece not been disallowed due to a handball.
Watch: Super Derry Scherhant
Freiburg’s dazzling attacker has clearly impressed Klopp, having already notched nine goal contributions (two goals, seven assists) in six appearances for Freiburg across all competitions this season.
Philipp Treu
Freiburg’s Treu started, and completed the full 90 minutes, in three of Germany’s four games, clearly impressing Klopp. “Every full-back has to push forward aggressively and work like a bull defensively,” he explained. “You didn’t get the impression that a newcomer was playing; he seemed very composed.”
Indeed, Treu didn’t look out of place in the national team and combined defensive resilience with an attacking threat, creating eight chances for his teammates, more than any other player.
Jonas Urbig
While he is currently slated as the No. 2 goalkeeper - serving as backup to Manuel Neuer - at Bayern Munich, Urbig has staked his claim for the No.1 spot in the German national team with two strong performances, keeping clean sheets in their 2-0 victory over Serbia, Klopp's first win as Germany head coach, and 0-0 draw against Greece.
A commanding figure between the sticks, Urbig prevented Germany from going behind by pulling off a sensational save just two minutes in against Greece. What’s more, he has continued his upward trajectory during his time at Germany’s record champions and could soon be the undisputed first choice for Die Nationalelf.
Tom Bischof
For someone who is just 21, Bischof plays with outstanding composure and experience. Against Serbia, the Bayern man opened the scoring and demonstrated his true potential, dictating tempo while exhibiting his pinpoint passing, and relentless stamina - just the attributes that Klopp desires for his Gegenpressing philosophy.
Watch: The Tom Bischof show
What’s more, no player registered more shots (four) than Bischof, who boasted a 67 percent duel win rate while creating a further three chances against Serbia in only his second cap for Germany, and his first since their 2-0 defeat against France in June 2025. “That was one of my most important games,” he expressed after the victory.
There also appears to be an excellent understanding between the player and the man in the dugout. “Jürgen is a coach who brings you along with him. I hope things continue this way,” added Bischof, who is slated as a potential successor to Joshua Kimmich down the line.
Aleksandar Pavlović
The Bayern man has carried his domestic performances onto the international stage. Making a remarkable impression alongside Bischof and Florian Wirtz, Pavlović has delivered outstanding performances in the heart of Germany’s midfield.
Displaying immense composure on the ball, the 22-year-old remains press-resistant, showcasing his passing range and ability to control the game. Additionally, he plugs gaps like few others. “He definitely has the qualities for the engine room,” lauded Klopp, who will likely rely on Pavlović for years to come.
Karim Adeyemi
Swapping Borussia Dortmund for Barcelona in the summer, a change of scenery has done Adeyemi a world of good. Flourishing in Spain, where he’s already racked up three goals and recorded three assists in eight matches across all competitions, the 24-year-old was rewarded with a return to the German national team after a year out.
Adeyemi proved an asset in Germany’s first two games. However, despite being involved in almost every attacking move, luck wasn’t on his side. Yet, even though he missed a golden opportunity versus the Netherlands, the explosive attacker earned Klopp’s praise. “He’s a wonderful guy and a very pleasant person,” enthused Klopp. “I really like the package he offers.”
If Adeyemi continues his scintillating form at Barcelona, he, alongside the aforementioned five players, are well-positioned to be named in Klopp’s next Germany squad and become important parts of his plans as time progresses.
