Murat Yakin has nominated 25 players for the friendlies at Wembley against England (March 26) and in Zurich against Kosovo (March 30). Despite 22 league goals in Belgium, striker Michael Frey (27) is not included.
Murat Yakin says he has no need for action. ‘We watched him. But we have many to choose from. I trust those who were present in the three gatherings. We will take him into account when we need him.”
Forward hierarchy is clear at the moment
Frey is on call, but will he really kiss the hand in the near future? Not too much speaks for it, unless the injury witch strikes in the national team.
Because the striker hierarchy is clear at the moment. Yakin has three strikers in the roster in Breel Embolo, Mario Gavranovic and Noah Okafor. A fit Haris Seferovic, suffering from a calf injury, would also be sure to be there.
In the past, Yakin also preferred Cedric Itten (Glasgow Rangers) and Albian Ajeti (Celtic Glasgow) to Frey – but the two Scotland mercenaries are currently not playing a role in their clubs. In contrast to Ajeti, who recently struggled with injuries, Itten, like Frey, is still on call. Josip Drmic (19 goals for Rijeka) doesn’t even make this list.
Internationally no hit
Against Frey speaks that he does not score internationally. In the Belgian league he regularly nets for Royal Antwerp – but in six Europa League games he managed neither a goal nor an assist. Internationally he therefore did not push himself for a Nati squad.