Niclas Füllkrug senses big changes in the national team. He himself is ready for a new role, but wants to bring his qualities as usual. The goal is to win a trophy next summer.
Niclas Füllkrug sees the national football team facing a period of change after the European Championships at home. The resignations of the leading quartet of Manuel Neuer, Toni Kroos, Thomas Müller and captain Ilkay Gündogan have, in the centre-forward’s opinion, resulted in a “drastically changed team”, said the 31-year-old at the press conference in the team’s headquarters in Herzogenaurach.
“It’s only four or five people who aren’t here at the moment, but we’ve lost a few really big names who also played key roles in this team on and off the pitch. Accordingly, we’re in the process of developing a new hierarchy. I think we’re on the right track,” said Füllkrug. “It’s going to be a process of growing into the roles,” he added.
He himself may have “moved up the hierarchy a little” due to the changes, but ultimately not much has changed. He wants to continue to “give energy” to the team and “radiate a thirst”. He assured national coach Julian Nagelsmann that he does not need to use other means to prove that he is ready, after his move from Borussia Dortmund to West Ham United in the Premier League. At the European Championships, Füllkrug was backup to Kai Havertz as a striker.
Nations League Cup as a goal
Füllkrug is optimistic about the sporting prospects in the Nations League, with the first matches on Saturday in Düsseldorf against Hungary and three days later in the Netherlands. “We want to continue where we left off at the European Championships,” he said. The title in the UEFA competition must also be the goal with a view to the World Cup in 2026. “Every footballer likes to hold a trophy in their hands,” said Füllkrug.
Realistically, however, you cannot expect the same enthusiasm from the fans in the coming months as in the summer. We will not be able to generate the energy,” said Füllkrug. Public viewings are of course not to be expected either. Nevertheless, the Nations League is a “good competition” to take on new challenges. “It could be good,” said Füllkrug.
Source: Stern
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