Klopp calls up young face for matches against Serbia and Netherlands

Frankfurt – AFP – Germany national team manager Jürgen Klopp has called up Borussia Mönchengladbach midfielder Wael Bahoui, who is of Moroccan origin, to a 24-man squad for the UEFA Nations League matches against Serbia and the Netherlands.

Bahoui, 17, was not included in Klopp’s previous squad, but the attack-minded midfielder has started the season strongly with Mönchengladbach.

Klopp said he was impressed by Bahoui’s talent and self-confidence, adding: “I wanted to see how he behaves on and off the pitch, and to get a closer look at him directly during training sessions.”

Among those left out of the squad were Niklas Vollmann, Karim Adeyemi, Nadiem Amiri, and David Raum, while Jamal Musiala and Serge Gnabry remain sidelined due to long-term injuries.

The former Liverpool and Borussia Dortmund manager was appointed Germany coach this summer following the team’s early exit from the World Cup for the third consecutive time.

Klopp has been appointed until after the 2030 World Cup and has spoken about the need to select a younger team with a focus on long-term development, but he could not ignore the impressive form of 33-year-old striker Niklas Füllkrug.

Since returning to Werder Bremen this summer after an unproductive one-season loan spell at English club West Ham, Füllkrug has scored 12 goals in 10 matches across all competitions.

Germany will face Serbia in Belgrade on November 13, before hosting their traditional rivals the Netherlands in Berlin three days later.