Werder Bremen striker Niclas Füllkrug leads the Bundesliga scoring charts with nine goals, prompting TV expert Lothar Matthäus to urge national team coach Jürgen Klopp to select the 33-year-old forward for Germany’s upcoming fixtures, ntv.de reported ahead of the squad announcement.
Fantasy & Market Impact
- Bundesliga Fantasy Value: Füllkrug’s consistent goalscoring output at Werder Bremen makes him an asset, especially with his club currently standing on the fifth rank.
Füllkrug’s Comeback Story at Werder Bremen
Wunder soll es an der Weser immer mal wieder geben. But this season, striker Niclas Füllkrug is writing his own comeback story at Werder Bremen. With nine goals to his name, he has propelled the traditional club up to fifth place in the Bundesliga standings, keeping them firmly in contention for European qualification spots. Yet, the wider football conversation centers on whether this domestic form translates to an international recall.
Niclas #Füllkrug überzeugt bei #Werder mit starken Leistungen – #Fußball-Experte Lothar #Matthäus spricht sich jetzt für eine Rückkehr ins #DFBTeam aus!👇#DeichStube #Bundesliga #Deutschland #Nationalmannschaft https://t.co/R3VWRQlkLM
During the opening phase of the UEFA Nations League in September and October, the team under Jürgen Klopp frequently lacked cutting edge and penalty-box efficiency. That lack of a traditional central focal point opens the door for a classic target man. Füllkrug stands ready to fill that void in the upcoming matches against Serbia on November 13, broadcast live on RTL, and the Netherlands. At least, that is the obvious tactical solution proposed by analysts.
Matthäus Presses the Case for Age-Defying Selection
For the first four fixtures of his tenure, Klopp assembled an XXL squad comprising 44 players while giving opportunities to several debutants. But Matthäus argued strongly against prioritizing youth over immediate performance in his column. “I don’t think we should only rely on young players anymore. We should rely on players who recommend themselves with strong performances on the pitch, regardless of their age,” Matthäus wrote, as reported by ntv.de. “We can’t get around Niclas Füllkrug, who leads the Bundesliga scoring charts with nine goals.”
The debate surrounding Füllkrug has frequently pointed to his relative maturity in football terms. Matthäus dismissed those concerns by pointing to international precedents. “In other countries, there are also players who are still playing for their national team at 33 and are selected for World Cups and European Championships,” the World Cup winner noted. His philosophy remains straightforward: “If there’s no one else available, I’d take a 33-year-old along. For me, it’s not the age that counts, but the number of goals scored and the player’s performance.”
| Metric / Detail | Niclas Füllkrug | Comparison Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Current Club | Werder Bremen | National Team (DFB) |
| Age | 33 Years Old | Harry Kane (33) |
| Upcoming Fixtures | Serbia (Nov 13) / Netherlands | Klopp Squad Announcement (Thursday) |
The Squad Announcement Deadline
Drawing parallels to elite international management, Matthäus referenced Thomas Tuchel’s handling of Harry Kane. “Klopp said he can’t help that Füllkrug is already 33. Harry Kane is also 33, and Thomas Tuchel still invites him,” Matthäus stated.
Whether Klopp ultimately heeds the advice of the former international remains the central question on the eve of the roster reveal. Thursday marks the official day of the squad announcement, at which point it will become clear whether this prolific Bundesliga comeback story extends to the senior national setup.
