In a surprising development ahead of the upcoming World Cup, Germany’s head coach Julian Nagelsmann has made the controversial decision to exclude striker Niclas Füllkrug from the final “Die Mannschaft” squad.
According to Sky Sport, Nagelsmann and his coaching staff opted to forgo the experienced forward, who had been a key player in recent matches. Füllkrug, renowned for his impactful performances as a “super-sub” during the home Euros, scored crucial goals after coming off the bench, accumulating a remarkable record of 14 goals in 24 appearances for the national team.
Persistent speculation from German media suggested that Nagelsmann would include at least one traditional target man in the squad, with Füllkrug and Tim Kleindienst as the primary candidates. Ultimately, the decision swayed in favor of different tactical approaches, leading to Füllkrug’s exclusion.
In another development, Netherlands striker Memphis Depay is facing an injury setback that puts his participation in the World Cup at risk.