Klopp explains surprise Germany squad split and Yunus Ben Taleb call-up

Jurgen Klopp has defended his decision to name two separate Germany squads for the four matches during the next international break, saying the unusual arrangement will allow him to assess as many players as possible.

The new Germany manager has included Eintracht Frankfurt forward Yunus Ben Taleb, who could make his senior international debut after previously representing Morocco at youth level and being linked with the Atlas Lions for several years.

Ben Taleb, 23, has made a strong start to the Bundesliga season, scoring three goals in three matches. Klopp said he was immediately impressed after watching the forward play for Frankfurt.

“I watched his first match for Frankfurt and thought: ‘What a player! Where did they get him from?’” Klopp said at a news conference on Thursday. “There was no discussion among the coaching staff. We all agreed straight away: yes, we have to call him up.”

He added: “His intelligence, particularly in the final third and in avoiding offside, is exceptional and outstanding. He is a great talent.”

One squad will face Netherlands on 24 September and Greece on 27 September, while a second group will play Serbia on 1 October and Greece on 4 October. Augsburg goalkeeper Finn Dahmen is the only player included in both squads.

“We have not created a first team or a second team,” Klopp said. “We want to win all four matches.”

Klopp had indicated in July that he was considering a wide group of players, saying he had “a list of more than 60 players”. The latest selections include 11 newcomers, while 16 players have yet to represent Germany at senior level.

“When I called up Boubacar Conte, he laughed for two minutes,” said Klopp. “I also surprised Mika Baur, Felix Nmecha and Hannes Wolf.”

Four Freiburg players have been selected: Philipp Treu, Yannick Engelhardt, Max Rosenfelder and Derry Scherhant. Klopp praised the club’s performances and mentality.

“Freiburg have been performing impressively for some time,” he said. “Every team is made up of different characters and everyone contributes. You cannot buy a strong mentality, but you can develop it. Freiburg’s players have that mentality.”

There are still decisions to be made in several positions. Marc-Andre ter Stegen, 34, is expected to be the first-choice goalkeeper after being out for 15 months, but Dahmen has also caught Klopp’s eye.

“He is a very talented goalkeeper, and I would like to see him play for longer,” Klopp said.

Joshua Kimmich will captain Germany and is expected to play in midfield. “We have never discussed the possibility of him playing at right-back,” Klopp said. “He is an experienced player and has to be a role model. But we need to adapt to a new style of play. There are tactical issues to solve, and I am convinced he will show his full potential.”

Deniz Undav, an impressive substitute at the World Cup, was left out. “I spoke to him,” Klopp said. “He has not found his form this season yet. I wanted to select four strikers, and at the moment I chose the others.”

Klopp also said Leroy Sane had not yet regained his form and that he had not spoken to him or the injured Leon Goretzka. “I have made more than 50 or 60 phone calls,” he added.