After Ilkay Gündogan’s retirement, the German team needs a new captain. Former world champion Sami Khedira has a favorite.
From the point of view of former world champion Sami Khedira, Joshua Kimmich would be the right choice as the new captain of the national football team. After the resignation of Ilkay Gündogan, national coach Julian Nagelsmann must choose a successor before the upcoming international matches in September. Nagelsmann will today announce the squad for the Nations League matches against Hungary on September 7 in Düsseldorf and three days later against the Netherlands in Amsterdam.
Khedira (37) spoke out on the TV channel Sky in favor of Bayern professional Kimmich (29), with whom he played in the national team. “He is very controversial, but I also believe that because he has been made controversial from various directions and by various experts,” said Khedira.
The former international player continued: “But if you know him, if you know his ambition, if you know his sporting quality, but also his aspiration to take on leadership roles, I believe that he would be the ideal successor to Ilkay Gündogan, if he is protected and if he is supported.”
After the departure of his former World Cup colleagues Manuel Neuer, Toni Kroos, Thomas Müller and Gündogan from the national team, Khedira also sees the coming period up to the 2026 World Cup as an opportunity. “An opportunity for young players, an opportunity for the coaching team to bring in some fresh air,” said Khedira, citing Angelo Stiller from VfB Stuttgart as an example. The 23-year-old can hope that Nagelsmann will nominate him.
Source: Stern
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