Mats Hummels excels beyond expectations during the European Championships.
Julian Nagelsmann's European Championship team is gradually taking shape, and the main players have been in the spotlight for some time now. It's unlikely to end well for Mats Hummels. The in-form BVB veteran has a difficult predicament to deal with.
At "Hisar Fresh Food" in Berlin, it was announced that Antonio Rüdiger had been selected for the tournament, and GZSZ's Jo Gerner delighted Joshua Kimmich with the news: "You'll be there in the summer when Germany aims to become European soccer champions at home. For curious soccer fans, the puzzle is being pieced together day by day, eventually resulting in the German European Championship squad.
The overall picture is known to the protagonists, as Nagelsmann has already informed the European Championship players. Mats Hummels, who has not yet been officially announced, but is no secret, will not be part of the team photo. The Borussia Dortmund player's dilemma: he might be too good to make the cut.
"Faith in the coach"
The 2014 World Cup winner has played a key role in guiding BVB to the Champions League final, and the veteran was named "Man of the Match" in both the first and second legs of the semi-final clash with Paris Saint-Germain and superstar Kylian Mbappé. However, it won't be enough to earn a spot in Nagelsmann's squad. "He would have certainly deserved it based on his performance. But there are probably other considerations as well," said teammate Niclas Füllkrug recently after his own nomination, implying that Hummels is unlikely to make the cut. "We have to have faith in the coach."
Nagelsmann's choices aren't based on past accomplishments - as was often the case in the past, with Joachim Löw and Hansi Flick's tenures both ultimately resulting in self-destruction. It's more about recent developments, and Nagelsmann hasn't forgotten how well his team performed in France back in March with the victories against the Netherlands. Hummels was absent on that occasion, his DFB momentum had vanished, while Tah and Rüdiger had formed a formidable partnership in central defense.
"There's no question about it: If everyone remains fit and keeps performing well, we definitely won't be making any major changes in the summer. Not even five, probably only one or two - with the exception of injuries," said Nagelsmann after the European Championship. Hummels' BVB colleague Schlotterbeck is now one of the few players who could potentially be reinstated in the squad.
"Finding the perfect fit"
Hummels' "problem," which may have ultimately caused his exclusion, is his superior quality. It's not always about finding the best individual players but those who work best together. Nagelsmann values Schlotterbeck and Koch as suitable reinforcements for the established Tah and Rüdiger - and, importantly, not for Hummels. Schlotterbeck and Koch are likely to have been thrilled with their nominations.
This approach is consistent, but Nagelsmann's decision not to name Hummels, who is in top form at the moment, would not have been easy. After all, two of his guiding principles, which had revived the struggling German team just in time for the Euros, collided in this situation: "Form over reputation" and maintaining squad health. "We're competing to win the title," the national coach declared bluntly. With 78 international appearances, a World Cup win, and an exceptional Champions League season behind him, Nagelsmann clearly sees no role for Hummels in his squad that could contribute to Germany's quest for the big prize.
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Despite Mats Hummels' outstanding performance during the European Championships, he might not make Julian Nagelsmann's final squad for the National soccer team. This dilemma for Hummels arises due to the coach's preference for finding the perfect fit within the team, rather than solely selecting individuals, as evident in his choice of players like Schlotterbeck and Koch.
Despite guiding Borussia Dortmund to the Champions League final and being named 'Man of the Match' against Paris Saint-Germain, Mats Hummels' form and past accomplishments might not be enough to secure a place in Nagelsmann's squad for the upcoming European Championship.
Source: www.ntv.de
