March 15 – Germany coach Julian Nagelsmann has shaken up his under-performing squad before this summer’s European Championship, which the country is hosting, by naming six new players for warmups against France and the Netherlands.
Nagelsmann (pictured) has also included 34-year-old Toni Kroos in his 26-man squad, confirming the Real Madrid star’s return from international retirement nearly three years since he last played.
Kroos, who has won 106 caps, stepped away from international duty after Euro 2020 when Die Mannschaft were knocked out by England in the quarter-finals.
“I’m extremely happy I could persuade him to do it again,” Nagelsmann said. “He could have relaxed by the sea in the summer and just watched the games, and then play for Real Madrid for another year or not, whatever he decides at the time. I’m very happy he’s there and that he will play an important role for us.”
Also called up is Bayern Munich’s Aleksandar Pavlović for the first time, ending the 19-year-old midfielder’s interest in playing for Serbia.
Stuttgart players Waldemar Anton, Maximilian Mittelstädt and Deniz Undav are among the debutants. Stuttgart are flying high in third place in the Bundesliga.
Hoffenheim forward Maximilian Beier and Heidenheim freekick specialist Jan-Niklas Beste complete the new faces after impressing for their teams in the Bundesliga.
Meanwhile, England have recalled Ivan Toney for friendlies against Brazil and Belgium – his first call-up since serving an eight-month suspension for breaching FA betting rules
The 27-year-old Brentford striker won his lone cap for England as a substitute against Ukraine last March.
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