The DFB squad unexpectedly capitalizes on Ghana's shattered optimism.
Another Stuttgart local: Julian Nagelsmann includes Jamie Leweling in the German football national team. The fresh face snubs hisfather's homeland, who had previously hailed him as a "prospect." The nomination comes unexpectedly - but Hansi Flick had been deliberating on Leweling's situation behind the scenes.
Leweling found himself torn. "A weighty matter," the Stuttgart sensation stated some time ago regarding the debate over choosing to play for Ghana or Germany, and sighed: "I've pondered over it enough. I can't find a resolution." But now, he's found one: Leweling, a Ghanaian descendant, is aiming for a spot in the German national team following 11 appearances for the U21, and he secures it.
Nagelsmann selected the 23-year-old, following Jamal Musiala's (hip) withdrawal from the Nations League matches in Bosnia and against the Netherlands (11th and 14th October) - as the sixth professional from VfB Stuttgart. That Leweling is even available for selection is also thanks to his predecessor.
Leweling is "hard to defend against"
Even Hansi Flick himself backed Leweling to play for Germany. Flick's assistant Danny Röhl visited Leweling during the summer of 2022 while on coaching duty with the U21 national team at Union Berlin's training camp. The connection strengthened, and Leweling described the opportunity as a "great honor" to represent the DFB youth.
It seemed that Germany had already lost the battle for the talent. In autumn 2020, the Nuremberg native, playing for Greuther Fürth at the time, was nominated by Ghana for the Africa Cup qualifiers against Sudan. "He is a young man whose name is on everyone's lips and has piqued the interest of many top-tier teams," beamed national coach Charles Akonnor and dubbed Leweling a "future hope."
However, that future is now with the DFB - also because Leweling respectfully declined Ghana's offer at the time. And what will Nagelsmann be anticipating? The VfB coach, Sebastian Hoeneß, recently lauded Leweling's goal-scoring ability, speed, and physicality, highlighting that the winger is "hard to defend against." Furthermore, "he is also very disciplined defensively and is eager to defend. That makes him highly valuable for us." And for the DFB.
The call-up is "fantastic" for Leweling, said Hoeneß at a recent VfB press conference: "I knew that he played a significant role in Julian's thought process. Jamie has consistently improved and, more recently, delivered outstanding performances. That wasn't predictable when he joined us at the start."
Despite being initially nominated by Ghana for the Africa Cup qualifiers, Jamie Leweling respectfully declined their offer and has now set his sights on a spot in the German national team. Nagelsmann's decision to include Leweling in the squad for the Nations League matches against Bosnia and the Netherlands was partly due to Jamal Musiala's hip injury, making Leweling "hard to defend against" and highly valuable with his goal-scoring ability, speed, physicality, and defensive discipline.
