Squad for Nations League
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Paul Wanner has reportedly turned down an invitation from national coach Julian Nagelsmann for the German senior national team’s upcoming international matches. According to the “Süddeutsche Zeitung”, the 18-year-old offensive player from 1. FC Heidenheim would have had the chance to play in the last two games of the Nations League preliminary round against Bosnia-Herzegovina (November 16th) and Hungary (November 19th). To make his international debut. But Wanner decided against it and will instead be in the U21 squad. Nagelsmann calls up his squad for the end of the year on Thursday.
Wanner, who was born in Austria, has not yet made a decision as to whether he would like to play in the senior national team for Germany or his country of birth in the future. The German and Austrian associations are vying for him. He is currently playing for Germany’s U21 team, with whom he recently qualified for the European Championship finals next summer in Slovakia.
Wanner, who is on loan to Heidenheim from FC Bayern Munich, has had a strong Bundesliga season so far. Nagelsmann sees him as a “player with a lot of potential that we at the DFB have firmly in our plans.” Austria’s team boss Ralf Rangnick let the young star train with the national team in November 2022. Wanner was born in Austria and grew up mostly in Germany. He also played for the German Football Association in the U17, U18 and U20 teams. His mother is Austrian, his father is German. The offensive player had repeatedly said that he did not want to rush into anything with the national team’s future and would ideally like to play in the Bundesliga for a year first.
DFB team: Nagelsmann brings in goalkeeper Ortega, Blaswich is not there
Instead of Wanner, there will probably be a newcomer in the goalkeeper position. As “Bild” and “Sky” both report, Stefan Ortega from Manchester City will be part of the German squad for the first time. Unlike last time, Janis Blaswich (33), who was loaned out to Red Bull Salzburg by RB Leipzig, will not be nominated.
Ortega, who celebrates his 32nd birthday this Wednesday, deserved a chance at the DFB according to his agent Jörg Neblung (neblung sportsnetwork). “I don’t want to talk about the other goalkeepers, even if it’s difficult here, but Stefan now clearly belongs in this set of three, especially with the new situation. Simply to show yourself to the national coach and everyone involved in the DFB. According to the motto: ‘Look at what I have to offer.’ This is about the chance to show what you can do,” said the 57-year-old in a “Sport1” interview in mid-October.
Ortega has been playing for Man City in the Premier League since 2022, when the 31-year-old came on a free transfer from Bundesliga relegated Arminia Bielefeld. With a market value of 9 million euros, the veteran is in sixth place in the ranking of the most valuable German goalkeepers.
