Germany, France, and the Netherlands announced their European Championship squads, is it surprising that Hummels was defeated?

Beiqing Sports

2024-05-17 09:51Posted on the official account of Beijing Beiqing Sports News

Hummels (first from left) prepares for a friendly with Muller in November 2023

Starting from the evening of the 16th, Beijing time, the three world football powerhouses of Germany, France and the Netherlands have successively announced their squads for this summer's European Championship. According to UEFA's official requirements, the maximum number of players in each team participating in the European Championship has been expanded from 23 to 26, and teams must submit a squad of 23 to 26 players by June 7. Judging from the current list submitted by these three teams, there is basically no controversy about the list of France and the Netherlands, but the selection of the host German team has sparked a certain range of discussions, and the core topic is that the veteran Hummels, who is now playing for Dortmund in the Bundesliga, was unexpectedly unexpectedly defeated.

Since Nagelsmann took over, the German team has made some changes in the lineup compared to the Flick period, and one of the more important changes is the return of some veterans, such as Real Madrid midfielder Kroos. Although Kroos is no longer young, given his excellent technical ability and wealth of experience, his pressing will certainly help to improve the overall performance of the German team. The same can be said of Manuel Neuer and Muller, two World Cup winners in 2014 who will also be able to boost the confidence of the German team.

In other positions, there are also a number of big names who have not been selected, such as midfielders Brandt and Reuss and tall central defender Jule. But the most surprising or unexpected should be the veteran Hummels. The 35-year-old may not have any age advantage, but he has been an excellent performer this season and has been an absolute mainstay in Borussia Dortmund's Champions League final, playing in the last 12 Champions League games, scoring one goal and providing one assist, and scoring four goals in 38 appearances over the course of the season.

Germany coach Julian Nagelsmann explained Hummels' omission: "We can roughly confirm the starting 11, even if the list is not set in stone. We've decided to make Toni Rudiger and Ta the main centre-backs, so the question is, who are their most suitable substitutes? What should I have? What is the age? Hummels is not in the squad mainly because Rudiger is our starting XI. ”

At the same time, Nagelsmann also spoke about Goretzka, another midfielder who was not selected, saying: "I called the players personally and explained my decision, such conversations are always emotional, different people will react differently, and this rejection hurts my heart and it hurts him, so it's normal to have emotions, but there is no malice on either side. As a manager, I have to make decisions in the interests of the team and Goretzka's disappointment is understandable. "Germany have submitted a 27-man squad, which means that by the time the official squad is announced, there will be one player who will not be in goal. At present, the coach may have to make adjustments in the defender position at that time.

Unlike the talked-about hosts, there don't seem to be too many surprises in the announced squad for France, and the focus of attention is nothing more than two points: one is the return of the veteran N'Golo Kante, and the other is that Deschamps has brought five young people who have never had major tournament experience. Regarding Kante's question, Deschamps made a special statement at the press conference: "The last time he played for the national team was in June 2022. The situation after that was much more complicated for him, he barely played because of a serious injury, which also caused him to not be able to participate in the World Cup. But I know him very well and he's always ready for whatever the situation. Kante will get the place he deserves, or I will give it to him. ”

It is also worth noting that France have five players who will be playing for the first time in the tournament, including goalkeeper Samba (Lens), left-back Edouard Mendy (Real Madrid), right-back Klos (Marseille), midfielder Zaire Emery (Paris Saint-Germain) and winger Barcola (Paris Saint-Germain), with the 21-year-old Barcola being called up for the first time.

Van Dyck

In contrast, the Dutch team's squad can be described as a bleak star, in the 30-man squad selected by Koeman, the "orange team" can only get hands on the back line, Van Dijk and De Ligt led by the defense is undoubtedly the top in Europe, but their midfield and forward line are much thinner, only De Jong and Depay can be regarded as famous players, and there is still a significant gap between the ability and level of others and the first class in Europe. With such a lineup, if the Dutch want to go further in the European Championship, I am afraid they can only rely on unity to fight to the end.

Germany's 27-man squad (one player in the non-goalkeeping position will still be left out before the European Championships)

Goalkeepers: Manuel Neuer (Bayern Munich), Ter Stegen (Barcelona), Nübel (Stuttgart), Baumann (Hoffenheim)

Defenders: Antonio Rudiger (Real Madrid), Kimmich (Bayern Munich), Schlotterbeck (Dort), Raum (Leipzig), Ta (Bayer Leverkusen), Koch (Eintracht Frankfurt), Mittelstadt (Stuttgart), Anton (Stuttgart), Henrich (Leipzig)

Midfielders: Wirtz (Bayer Leverkusen), Gundogan (Barcelona), Kroos (Real Madrid), Andrich (Bayer Leverkusen), Gross (Brighton), Pavlovic (Bayern), Frisch (Stuttgart), Musiala (Bayern), Sane (Bayern)

Forwards: Onduff (Stuttgart), Kai Havertz (Arsenal), Phil Kruger (Dort), Bayer (Hoffenheim), Muller (Bayern)

France squad:

Goalkeepers: Areola (West Ham), Maignan (AC Milan), Samba (Lens)

Defenders: Klaus (Marseille), Theo Hernandez (AC Milan), Ibrahima Konate (Liverpool), Jules Kounde (Barcelona), Ferran Mendy (Real Madrid), Pavard (Inter), Saliba (Arsenal), Upamecano (Bayern)

Midfielders: Camavinga (Real Madrid), Y. Fofana (Monaco), Antoine Griezmann (Atletico Madrid), N'Golo Kante (Jeddah United), Tchouameni (Real Madrid), Rabiot (Juve), Zaire Emery (Paris)

Forwards: Barcola (Paris), Coman (Bayern Munich), Dembele (Paris), Giroud (Milan/Los Angeles FC), Muani (Paris), Kylian Mbappe (Paris), Thuram (Inter)

Netherlands squad:

Goalkeepers: Bigello (Feyenoord), Nick Ollie (Sparta Rotterdam), Fletcen (Brentford), Verbruggen (Brighton)

Defenders: Ake (Manchester City), Blind (Girona), Van Dijk (Liverpool), Frimpong (Bayer Leverkusen), Dumfries (Inter), Hetleyleida (Feyenoord), De Ligt (Bayern Munich), Maatsen (Dort), De Vrij (Inter), Van der Ven (Tottenham),

Midfielders: Frenkie de Jong (Barcelona), Hrafenberg (Liverpool), Koopmeinas (Atalanta), Reinders (AC Milan), De Jong (Atalanta), Schouten (PSV Eindhoven), Xavi Simons (Leipzig), Quantum Timber (Feyenoord), Wellman (PSV Eindhoven), Wijnaldum (Dammam)

Forwards: Depay (Atletico Madrid), Gakpo (Liverpool), Bergwijn (Ajax), Brobe (Ajax), Weghorst (Hoffenheim), Malen (Dort)

Text/Beiqing Sports Zhang Kunlong

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