Jurgen Klopp set to hand Eintracht Frankfurt striker Younes Ben Taleb Germany call-up

Jurgen Klopp is preparing to include Eintracht Frankfurt striker Younes Ben Taleb in his first Germany squad, in a surprise move that underlines the new manager’s intention to introduce fresh talent.

Klopp is expected to announce his first squad since taking charge of the national team next Thursday. His selections are being closely watched as he looks to establish his own approach rather than simply continue the methods of his predecessor, Julian Nagelsmann.

According to Bild, Ben Taleb has already received a call from Klopp and been told he will be included for Germany’s upcoming matches. The decision is unexpected because the 23-year-old has only recently emerged at the highest level.

Ben Taleb’s rise has been swift. Just a few years ago he was playing in the lower divisions of German football, and last season he was with Elversberg before moving to Eintracht Frankfurt. That transfer gave him the opportunity to play in the Bundesliga, and he has taken it quickly.

He made an immediate impression at the start of the current campaign, scoring a hat-trick in Eintracht Frankfurt’s 3-3 draw with Union Berlin on the opening matchday. He then scored again in the following game against Augsburg, placing him among the most eye-catching players of the early season.

Although Ben Taleb has not been a regular starter in recent matches, Klopp has continued to monitor him. The Germany manager recently visited Eintracht Frankfurt’s training session, where he held individual conversations with several players, including the striker.

During that visit, Klopp indicated to Ben Taleb that he was already under consideration for Germany. The subsequent phone call confirmed that the forward had entered the manager’s plans.

The possible call-up also has implications for Ben Taleb’s international future. Born in Frankfurt, he was eligible to play for Morocco, and the Moroccan Football Federation had shown an interest in persuading him to represent the Atlas Lions.

However, Ben Taleb had been inclined to wait for an opportunity with Germany. Bild reported that Klopp’s call was enough to settle the issue, with the player unwilling to turn down the chance to work with the new Germany manager.

The decision therefore represents a double surprise: Ben Taleb was not among the most widely expected names for the squad, and his selection could end Morocco’s hopes of seeing him play for them in the future.

Another Eintracht Frankfurt forward, Jonathan Burkardt, is also believed to have a strong chance of being selected. He has become the first-choice striker while manager Adolf Hutter has generally used a system with one forward, leaving Ben Taleb on the bench recently.

Even so, Ben Taleb’s explosive start has convinced Klopp to give him an opportunity. It sends an early message that established reputations and extensive international experience will not be the only routes into the Germany squad.

Germany will play four Nations League matches during the next international break. They face the Netherlands on 24 September, Greece on 27 September, Serbia on 1 October and Greece again on 4 October.

The fixtures will provide Klopp with his first major test in charge and an opportunity to implement his ideas while assessing a wide group of players before settling on his preferred team.